CHRONICLE 


ONE  HUNDRED  ^  EIETJ 


3i*5,-i.  »«■  ;^a'>^  -fiiM: 


WILLIAM   G.  BROADWAY 


William  G  Broadway 

HIS -BOOK 

HOW  PRDCUREdF  ro5t.Chaoib©r_of 

Commerce 

DATE May.-i*..19ia _ 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2007  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/chronicleofonehuOObishiala 


CHRONICLE 

ONE  HUNDRED  C^  FIFTY 
YESIRS 


^^ot'Ti/f^^^'r'i^e^ 


CHRONICLE 

ONE  HUNDRED  C^  FIFTY 

YESiRS 

THE  CHAMBER  o£  COMMERCE 

THB  STATE  o£NEWYORK 
176^-' 191^ 

Br 
JOSEPH  BUCKXIN  BISHOP 

"The  Panama  Gaten'afr* 

'**Presidential  'Nominations 

and  Elections  €tc. 


rNE'VKr  YORIC 

CHARLES  SCRIBNER'S  SONS 

MCMXVin 


r 


COPYRIGHT,  1918 
THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE 
OP  THE  STATE  OP  NEW  YORK 


INTRODUCTORY 

TkE  founders  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  the  found- 
ers of  the  American  Union  were  one  and  the  same  body  of 
men.  When  they  met  on  April  5,  1768,  to  establish  their 
commercial  society  they  had  been  for  three  years  in  the  fore- 
front of  the  steadily  rising  tide  of  indignant  opposition  to 
British  rule  which  was  to  culminate  seven  years  later  in  the 
Revolution.  They  were  engaged,  some  of  them  unconsciously, 
in  the  momentous  task  of  founding  a  free  and  independent 
republic  at  the  very  moment  when  they  came  together  to 
form  a  union  of  merchants  in  the  interest  of  the  peaceful  pur- 
suits of  commerce. 

Clear  perception  of  these  facts  is  necessary  for  a  Just  ap- 
preciation of  the  high  historic  value  of  the  Chamber's  records. 
Emerson  said  of  Lincoln  that  he  was  the  "true  history  of  the 
American  people  of  his  time."  In  the  records  of  the  Chamber 
of  Commerce  for  a  century  and  a  half  there  is  to  be  foimd  a 
chronicle  of  the  acts  and  the  spirit  of  the  American  people, 
not  only  since  they  became  a  nation  but  also  during  the  epoch- 
making  period  which  immediately  preceded  that  event,  for 
the  birth  of  the  society  antedated  the  adoption  of  the  Con- 
stitution by  twenty-one  years. 

The  patriotic  spirit  of  the  society's  founders  was  disclosed 
unmistakably  at  their  first  meeting.  They  chose  for  Presi- 
dent John  Cruger,  the  man  who  had  drawn  up  in  1765,  in 
the  Stamp  Act  Congress  of  the  Colonies  assembled  in  New 
York  City,  the  famous  "Declaration  of  Rights  and  Grievances 
of  the  Colonies  in  America,"  which  was  sent  to  the  British 
Parliament.  When  in  the  same  year  the  stamps  arrived  and 
the  Royahst  Governor  had  declared  his  purpose  to  enforce 


vi  INTRODUCTORY 

the  Act,  there  was  a  popular  uprising  against  their  reception, 
during  which  an  effigy  of  the  Governor  was  burned  in  Bowling 
Green.  John  Cruger,  as  Mayor  of  the  city,  attended  by  the 
aldermen,  called  upon  the  Governor  and  so  impressed  him 
with  the  danger  which  impended  if  he  attempted  to  enforce 
the  Act,  that  he  promised  to  deliver  the  stamps  to  the  city 
authorities.  What  next  happened  is  thus  recorded  in  the 
newspapers  of  the  day:  "They  (the  city  authorities)  accord- 
ingly soon  after,  accompanied  with  a  Prodigious  Concourse 
of  People  of  aU  Ranks  attended  at  the  gate  of  the  Fort, 
when  the  Governor  ordered  the  Paper  to  be  given  up  to  them; 
and  upon  the  Reception  of  it  gave  three  cheers,  carried  it  to 
the  City  Hall  and  dispersed.  After  which  Tranquillity  was 
restored  to  the  City." 

That  the  members  of  the  Chamber  were  in  full  sympathy 
with  the  patriotic  views  of  their  President  was  shown  a  year 
later  when  he  was  re-elected.  He  was  at  the  same  time 
Speaker  of  the  last  Colonial  General  Assembly  ever  gathered  in 
the  colony,  and  in  the  minutes  of  the  session  of  the  Chamber 
on  May  2,  1769,  it  is  recorded  that  "Mr.  President  reported 
that  he  had  it  in  charge  to  give  the  Merchants  of  this  city 
and  colony  the  thanks  of  the  House  for  their  repeated,  dis- 
interested, public  spirited  and  patriotic  conduct  in  declining 
the  importation  of  goods  from  Great  Britain  until  such  Acts 
of  ParUament  as  the  General  Assembly  had  declared  un- 
constitutional and  subversive  of  the  rights  and  liberties  of  the 
people  of  this  colony  should  be  repealed." 

They  were  men  who  knew  their  rights  and  dared  maintain 
them,  but  there  was  a  difference  of  opinion  among  them  as  to 
the  extent  to  which  defense  of  their  rights  should  be  carried. 
When  the  time  arrived  to  defend  them  by  taking  up  arms 
against  the  mother  country,  many  of  them  proved  not  equal 
to  the  test.  They  favored  concihation  by  means  of  resistance 
and  protest  but  not  to  the  point  of  revolution  and  separation. 


INTRODUCTORY  vii 

It  was  inevitable  that  the  activities  of  a  society,  founded  at 
such  a  time  and  by  such  men,  though  nominally  for  "pro- 
moting and  encouraging  commerce,"  should  be  extended  to 
a  field  with  far  wider  boundaries  than  the  words  imply.  From 
the  very  beginning,  the  Chamber  took  its  place  as  an  influ- 
ence ia  national  affairs  whenever  there  appeared  in  those 
affairs  issues  affecting  the  national  welfare  and  honor,  and  the 
successors  of  the  founders  have  adhered  to  that  interpreta- 
tion of  its  functions  down  to  the  present  day,  not  only  in 
national  but  in  state  and  municipal  affairs  as  well.  It  is  a 
noble  tradition  and  nobly  has  it  been  maintained. 

Lord  Morley  cites  in  his  "Recollections"  a  letter  which 
somebody  wrote  to  Mr.  Gladstone  near  the  close  of  his  career: 
"You  have  so  lived  and  wrought  that  you  have  kept  the  soul 
alive  in  England."  No  impartial  reader  of  the  records  of  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  for  the  past  one  hundred  and  fifty 
years  can  escape  the  conviction  that  it  has  so  lived  and 
wrought  as  to  keep  aKve  the  patriotic  spirit  of  its  founders 
and  thereby  to  aid  in  keeping  alive  the  spirit  of  true  patriot- 
ism in  the  land.  In  every  crisis  that  has  arisen  since  the 
foundation  of  the  republic  to  the  present  time  its  voice,  never 
hesitating,  never  doubtful,  has  been  found  on  the  side  of 
right  and  Justice  and  public  honor.  As  primarily  a  com- 
mercial body,  its  history  is  interwoven  with  the  commercial, 
financial,  and  industrial  history  of  the  whole  country.  As  a 
body  of  public-spirited  citizens,  ready  at  all  times  to  uphold 
and  advance  good  government,  to  secure  justice  and  fair 
dealing  among  men,  to  cultivate  and  maintain  a  sound  public 
opinion  and  a  true  conception  of  patriotism, — as  a  genuine 
moral  force  in  the  land, — the  Chamber  of  Commerce  has 
throughout  its  career  exerted  a  powerful  influence  in  sup- 
port of  those  agencies  which  make  for  progress  and  civiliza- 
tion. 


CONTENTS 


MOB 

Introductory v 

CHAPTER 

I.    Founding  of  the  Chamber i 

ORIGIN  OF  THE  NAME — ^FIRST  OF  ITS  KIND  IN  THE  WORLD. 
1768. 

II.    Social  Habits  of  the  Period S 

PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  EARLY  SESSIONS — REMOVAL  TO  NEW 
QUARTERS — OPPOSITION  TO  BRITISH  TAXATION.  1768- 
1770. 

III.  Royal  Charter  for  the  Chamber 12 

VICISSITUDES  OF  THE  SEAL  AND  OF  GOVERNOR  COLDEN'S 
PORTRAIT.      1770-1774. 

IV.  EIarly  Stand  for  Honest  Money 17 

STEPS  IN  ITS  INTEREST  AND  IN  THAT  OF  PURE  FOOD  AND 
BUSINESS  INTEGRITY.      1768-1774. 

V.    "The  Good  of  Their  Country" 22 

STANDARD  RATES  FOR  COINS — ^PRIZES  FOR  FISH  CATCHES. 
1770-1774. 

VI.  Approach  of  the  Revolution 25 

JOHN  ADAMS'S  views  OF  NEW  YORK  IN  1 7  74 — ^HIS  ESTI- 
MATES OF  MEMBERS   OF  THE   CHAMBER.      1 7  74. 

Vn.    Advent  of  the  Revolution 28 

THE  CHAMBER  SPLIT  IN  TWAIN — ITS  PROCEEDINGS  AS  A 
LOYALIST  BODY.      1775-1783. 

VUL  British  Evacuation  of  New  York 34 

RETURN  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  PATRIOT  EXILES — ^BANQUET 
customs  of  THE  FATHERS.      1 783. 

ix 


X  CONTENTS 

CHAPTEK  MOC 

IX.    Reorganization  of  the  Chamber 39 

CHARTER  REVIVED  BY  THE  STATE — ^APPROVAL  OF  ERIE 
CANAL — MEMORIAL  AGAINST   FIAT  MONEY.      1784-1793. 

X.    The  Jay  Treaty 45 

VALUABLE  SUPPORT  BY  THE  CHAMBER — RESULTS  EF- 
FECTED— SESSIONS  INTERRUPTED  BY  YELLOW  FEVER 
— INTERREGNUM   OF  ELEVEN   YEARS.      1794-1806. 

XI.    Revival  of  the  Chamber 52 

FREE-TRADE  ATTITUDE  OF  THE  MEMBERS  —  NATIONAL 
BANKRUPTCY  LAW  FAVORED — REMOVAL  TO  THE  MER- 
CHANTS' EXCHANGE.      1817-1827. 

Xn.    Active  Interest  in  Public  Affairs 57 

CITY,    state,    and    national    QUESTIONS    CONSIDERED 

ERIE     RAILROAD     FAVORED — BURNING     OF     THE     MER- 
CHANTS'  EXCHANGE.      1827-1836. 

XIII.  Fresh  Life  in  the  Chamber 6i 

ADDITIONAL  MEMBERS  ELECTED GROWTH  IN  PROTECTION 

SENTIMENT.      184O-1849. 

XIV.  New  Quarters  and  Broader  Activities   ....      6$ 

SUPPRESSION  OF  PRIVATEERING  SOUGHT — ^MEETINGS  IN 
CLINTON  HALL — ^FIRST  ANNUAL  REPORT.      1851-1858. 

XV.    The  Civil  War 71 

PROMPT  ACTION  OF  THE  CHAMBER  IN  SUPPORTING  THE 
GOVER^fMENT  AND  THE  NATIONAL  CREDIT.      1 86 1. 

XVI.  Rebuke  to  Pacifists 75 

LEGAL-TENDER  ISSUE  FAVORED — LETTERS  FROM  JOHN 
BRIGHT   AND   ADMIRAL   FARRAGUT.      1 86  2-1 863. 

XVII.  "Alabama"  Acts  Condemned 8i 

A  CAMPAIGN  OF  EDUCATION  IN  THE  CASE — REWARDS  FOR 
THE  vessel's  captors.      1863-1864. 


CONTENTS  xi 

CHAFTCS  PACK 

XVIII.    End  of  the  War 86 

SURRENDER  OF  LEE — ^DEATH  OF  LINCOLN — ^DELEGATION 
TO  THE  FUNERAL — GRATEFUL  LETTER  FROM  SECRE- 
TARY SEWARD — CENTENNIAL  ANNIVERSARY  OF  THE 
CHAMBER.      1865-1868. 

XIX.    Efforts  for  Honest  Government 92 

COMMITTEE  OF  SEVENTY  AND  TWEED-RING  DEFEAT — 
SUPPORT  OF  POLICE  INVESTIGATION — CHOLERA  SCARE. 
1871-1894. 

XX.    Assassination  of  Garfield 96 

FUND  FOR  HIS  FAMILY — FAITH  OF  THE  CHAMBER  IN 
PRESIDENT  ARTHUR.      1881. 

XXI.    War  with  Spain 99 

PROMPT  SUPPORT  OF  THE  GOVERNMENT — PANAMA 
canal  TOLLS — VALUABLE  HISTORICAL  EVIDENCE 
FROM   MR.   CHOATE.      1898-1914. 

XXn.    Rapid-Transit  Solution 105 

RECORD  OF  THE  CHAMBER — THIRTEEN  YEARS  OF  LEAD- 
ERSHIP IN  THE  CONSTRUCTION  OF  SUBWAYS.  1894- 
1907. 

XXni.    Rapid  Transit — Continued no 

RECOGNITION  OF  MR.  HEWITT'S  SERVICES — GOLD  MEDAL 
AWARDED  AND  STATUE  ERECTED  TO  HIS  MEMORY — 
MEDALS  ALSO  FOR  MEMBERS  OF  THE  COMMISSION. 
1894-1907. 

XXIV.    Sound-Money  Record 114 

UNBROKEN  FOR  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS — 
DEMANDS  FOR  RESUMPTION  OF  SPECIE  PAYMENTS — 
OPPOSITION  TO  FREE  SILVER.      1768-1918. 

XXV.    Commercial  Arbitration 120 

HISTORY  OF  THE  CHAMBER'S  EXPERIENCE  FROM  EARLI- 
EST TIMES — SUCCESS    OF   THE    SYSTEM.      1768-1918. 


xii  CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  rAfflt 

XXVI.    The  Atlantic  Cable 128 

SUPPORT  OF  THE  PROJECT  BY  THE  CHAMBER — REC- 
OGOTTION  OF  CYRUS  W.  FIELD'S  SERVICES.  1858- 
1895. 

XXVn.    The  Washington  and  Sherman  Statues  .     .     .     132 

SECURED  FOR  THE  CITY  BY  THE  CHAMBER — ^DEDICA- 
TION  EXERCISES.      1883-I903. 

XXVIII.    A  Visit  to  London 139 

GUESTS  OF  THE  LONDON  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE — ^A 
WEEK  OF  ENTERTAINMENTS  WITH  A  NOTABLE  BAN- 
QUET.     1 901. 

XXIX.    Early  Homes  of  the  Chamber 144 

FAMOUS  historic  BUILDINGS  WHICH  IT  HAS  OCCUPIED 
— ITS   LATER  TEMPORARY  ABODES.      I768-I902. 

XXX.  The  Chamber's  Permanent  Home 155 

FUND  FOR  ITS  CONSTRUCTION — GREAT  HALL  AND 
PORTRAIT  GALLERY — DEDICATION  EXERCISES — 
STATUES  AND  MEMORIAL  TABLET.      1902-1911. 

XXXI.    The  European  War 164 

PREPAREDNESS  AND  UNIVERSAL  SERVICE  FAVORED — 
declaration  of  war  approved — PORT  WAR  BOARD 
SECURED.      I914-1918. 

XXXII.    Relief  and  Other  Funds 169 

AID  FOR  PERSONS  IN  DISTRESS  FROM  CALAMITIES — 
FUISroS  FOR  THE  BENEFIT  OF  FAMILIES  OF  DIS- 
TINGUISHED PERSONS  —  TOTAL  CONTRIBUTIONS, 
$3,500,000.      1793-1918. 

XXXIII.    Official  and  Other  Duties 173 

SELECTION  AND  REGULATION  OF  PILOTS  —  WARE- 
HOUSING AND  seamen's  wages  —  SAILORS'  SNUG 
HARBOR  —  NAUTICAL  SCHOOL — SAILORS'  HOTELS 
OR  BOARDING-HOUSES  —  COMMERCIAL  EDUCATION. 
I791-I918. 


CONTENTS 


xui 


cHAFrxK  nua 

XXXIV.    Banquets  in  the  Early  Days 179 

FINES  UPON  ABSENTEES — DISTINGXJISHED  GUESTS 
INVITED — ^ANNUAL  BANQUETS  ESTABLISHED  AS  A 
PERMANENT  INSTITUTION  IN   1873.      1769-180$. 

XXXV.    Earliest  op  the  Modern  Banquets  ....     184 

SPEECH  BY  WILLIAM  M.  EVARTS — ^PRESIDENT  HAYES 
AND  OTHER  DISTINGUISHED  GUESTS — ^YORKTOWN 
ANNIVERSARY — GENERAL  GRANT  ON  HYPHENATED 
AMERICANS.      1873-1883. 

XXXVI.    Statue  of  Liberty  Banquets 189 

SPEECHES  BY  FREDERIC  R.  COUDERT — LETTER  FROM 
A.   BARTHOLDI.      1885-1886. 

XXXVn.    Joseph  Chamberlain  Chief  Guest  of  Honor  .     194 

SPEECHES  by  him  AND  BY  L.  Q.  C.  LAMAS,  SECRE- 
TARY  OF  THE  INTERIOR.      1887. 


XXXVIII.    GoLDWiN  Smith  Chief  Guest  of  Honor 


I » 


general  SHERMAN  ON  "LOYALTY  TO  THE  FLAG" — 
CLEVELAND  ON  "WHAT  TO  DO  WITH  EX-FSESI- 
DENTS."      1888-1889. 


197 


XXXIX.    Financial  Crisis  of  1890 201 

SERVICES  RENDERED  BY  MERCHANTS — PRESIDENT 
ELIOT  ON  HARVARD  GRADUATES — LAST  APPEAR- 
ANCE AND  SPEECH  OF  GENERAL  SHERMAN — G.  W. 
CURTIS  ON  WASHINGTON  IRVING.      1890. 

XL.    John  Hay  on  Diplomacy 205 

Cleveland's  second  election — lord  herschell 

A  guest — ^letter  from  president  ROOSEVELT. 

I892-I902. 


XLI.    Lord  Morley  Chief  Guest  of  Honor   .     .     . 

SPEECHES  BY  BISHOP  GREER,  GENERAL  HORACE 
PORTER,  AND  JOSEPH  H.  CHOATE — THE  GUESTS  AT 
LATER  BANQUETS.      1904-19x5. 


210 


xiv  CONTENTS 

CBAPTKR  ZAOB 

XLU.    Formal  Receptions 215 

FOREIGN  VISITORS  OF  MANY  NATIONALITIES  THUS 
HONORED — ^ALSO  EMINENT  AMERICANS.  1893- 
I918. 

XLIII.    Broad  Scope  of  Later  Work 222 

REVIVAL  OF  AMERICAN  SHIPPING — RAPID  TRANSIT — 
state  police — ^NEW  WATER  SUPPLY.      1900-I918. 


APPENDIX 

I.    Founding  of  the  Chamber 229 

II,    Original  Charter 233 

III.  Reaffirmed  Charter 242 

IV.  By-Laws 249 

V.    Officers  of  the  Chamber 262 

VI.    Officers  and  Committees  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce for  the  Year  Ending  May,  1918  .     .     .  266 

VII.    Roll  of  Members 271 

VIII.    Catalogue  of  Portraits  and  Sculpture  ....  293 

IX.    Publications  by  the  Chamber 296 

Index 297 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New  York  .    Frontispiece 

VACING  PAGE 

John  Cruger 4 

Reproductions  from  Original  Stamps  of  the  Stamp  Act,  1765      .  10 

Great  Seal  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1770 14 

City  Hall  and  Great  Dock,  1679 24 

Fraunces's  Tavern,  1768 32 

Royal  Exchange,  1754 42 

Merchants'  Coffee  House,  1737 50 

Tontine  Coffee  House,  1796 60 

Merchants'  Exchange,  1827 68 

John  Bright 76 

Admiral  David  G.  Farragut,  U.  S.  N 84 

City  Hall,  New  York,  1791 94 

The  Battery,  New  York,  1793 106 

New  York  in  1796 .  116 

The  Federal  City  Hall,  1797 130 

•  The  Government  House,  1797 146 

Great  Hall  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  First  View      .  158 

Great  Hall  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Second  View  .  162 

XV 


xvi  .  ILLUSTRATIONS 

FACING  PAGE 

Alexander  Hamilton 176 

George  Washington 196 

Cadwallader  Golden 204 

View  of  Wall  Street,  1850 214 

Wall  Street  at  the  Glose  of  the  Nineteenth  Century   ....  224 


CHRONICLE 

ONE  HUNDRED  C^  FIFTY 
YEmRS 


CHAPTER  I 
FOUNDING  OF  THE  CHAMBER 

OiQGIN  OF  THE  NAME — TIRST  OF  ITS  KIND  IN  THE  WORLD 

1768 

The  New  York  Chamber  of  Commerce  is  the  oldest  insti- 
tution of  its  kind  in  the  world.  There  were  many  mercantile 
associations  in  European  countries  before  its  advent,  and 
one  which  adopted  the  same  name  three  and  a  half  centuries 
earlier,  but  all  these  had  official  connection  with  the  govern- 
ments under  which  they  existed  and  were  subject  to  official 
control.  They  were  not,  like  the  New  York  society,  ab- 
solutely independent  of  government  connection  and  super- 
vision of  all  kinds,  free  to  act  and  give  expression  to  opinion 
or  advice  in  matters  of  public  policy  and  welfare. 

France  has  the  honor  of  establishing  the  first  mercantile 
association  under  the  name  of  Chamber  of  Commerce.  This 
occurred  early  in  the  year  1400,  under  a  government  grant 
which  vested  it  with  extraordinary  jurisdiction  in  deciding 
commercial  questions.  The  society  was  several  times  sup- 
pressed and  regularly  restored,  and  received  a  definite  organ- 
ization in  1650.  Similar  associations  were  formed  later  in 
other  towns  in  France,  and  in  1700  a  Council  General  of  Com- 
merce was  created  in  Paris.  This  was  composed  of  six  Coun- 
cillors of  State,  and  twelve  merchants  delegated  by  the  prin- 
cipal towns  of  the  kingdom.  It  was  overthrown  in  the 
Revolution,  and  was  revived  by  Napoleon.  It  has  been 
subjected  to  various  changes,  but  since  1852  the  election  of 
members  has  been  regulated  by  law,  the  term  of  office  being 
six  years.  France  has  a  Minister  of  Commerce  who  is  a 
member  of  the  Cabinet  and  whose  department  maintains  a 


2  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

close  relation  with  the  Chambers  of  Commerce  throughout  the 
republic. 

In  Great  Britain,  Boards  of  Trade  date  from  the  time  of 
Charles  IE,  but  no  association  with  the  name  of  Chamber  of 
Commerce  was  established  till  1783,  when  one  was  founded 
in  Glasgow,  followed  by  one  in  Edinburgh  in  1785,  and  a 
third  in  London  in  1882. 

Modem  Chambers  of  Commerce  appeared  in  Germany 
about  the  middle  of  the  nineteenth  century,  but  are  under  the 
control  of  the  government  and  may  be  dissolved  by  it  at  any 
time.  In  Austria  they  are  also  imder  the  control  of  the  govern- 
ment, are  regulated  by  law,  and  elect  members  to  the  House 
of  Representatives. 

When  on  April  5,  1768,  twenty  merchants  of  the  little  co- 
lonial city  of  New  York  came  together  to  form  a  mercantile 
union  it  was  amid  conditions  that  must  have  banished  from 
their  minds  all  thought  of  connection  of  any  kind  with  the 
existing  government.  They  had  been  for  three  years  imited 
in  a  series  of  protests  against  governmental  action.  The 
very  air  they  breathed  was  charged  with  the  spirit  of  free- 
dom and  independence,  of  revolt  against  official  domination. 
The  success  of  their  union  for  protest  had  doubtless  in- 
spired them  with  the  idea  of  a  commercial  union  for  the  pro- 
tection and  promotion  of  their  business  interests.  They  had 
deliberately  crippled  those  interests  rather  than  submit  to 
denial  of  their  rights  and  liberties  by  the  government,  and 
their  chief  purpose  in  coming  together  was  to  form  a  imited 
front  in  case  of  further  struggles  of  the  same  kind. 

The  way  in  which  they  proceeded  to  effect  an  organiza- 
tion showed  that  they  had  come  together  with  a  clearly 
defined  purpose  and  with  a  well-prepared  plan.  A  declara- 
tion was  submitted  and  adopted  that  "whereas  mercantile 
societies  have  been  found  very  useful  in  trading  cities  for 
promoting  and  encouraging  commerce,  supporting  industry, 
adjusting  disputes  relative  to  trade  and  navigation,  and  pro- 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS  3 

curing  such  laws  and  regulations  as  may  be  found  necessary 
for  the  benefit  of  trade  in  general,"  the  twenty  persons  present 
had  convened  to  establish  such  a  society. 

It  was  agreed  that  the  society  should  consist  of  a  Presi- 
dent, Vice-President,  Treasurer,  and  Secretary  and  such  num- 
ber of  merchants  as  already  had  or  afterward  might  become 
members,  and  should  be  called  and  known  by  the  name  of 
*'The  New  York  Chamber  of  Commerce."  Without  delay 
the  meeting  proceeded  to  elect  the  officers  of  the  new  society, 
choosing  unanimously  the  following:  John  Cruger,  President; 
Hugh  Wallace,  Vice-President;  Elias  Desbrosses,  Treasurer; 
and  Anthony  Van  Dam,  Secretary.  Resolutions  were  adopted 
declaring  that  meetings  should  be  held  on  the  first  Tuesday 
of  every  month,  that  quarterly  meetings  should  be  held  in 
May,  August,  November,  and  February  each  year,  at  which 
the  accounts  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  should  be  settled 
and  ballots  taken  for  the  admission  of  new  members.  It 
was  decreed  that  each  member  should  pay  an  admission  fee 
of  five  Spanish  dollars  and  quarterly  dues  of  one  Spanish 
dollar. 

The  primitive  character  of  the  community  was  strikingly 
revealed  in  the  decree  that  a  proper  room  for  the  meetings 
of  the  Chamber  should  "be  provided  at  the  exp)ense  of  the 
members  so  that  it  doth  not  exceed  one  shilling  per  man, 
which  each  person  is  to  pay  to  the  Treasurer  at  their  respec- 
tive meetings." 

The  city  at  that  time  had  only  twenty  thousand  inhabitants 
and  its  northern  limits  stopped  at  the  present  City  Hall. 
Contemporary  prints  show  that  it  had  the  appearance  of  a 
provincial  town  of  the  present  day,  with  two  and  three 
story  buildings,  abundant  shade-trees  and  generous  lawns 
about  the  dwelling-houses,  many  of  them  extending  down  to 
the  water-fronts.  The  value  of  the  entire  property  of  the  city 
was  less  than  that  of  a  single  one  of  many  blocks  in  lower 
Broadway  in  191 8,  and  its  entire  population  was  not  equal 


4  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

to  that  of  two  of  the  great  modem  office-buildings  in  the 
same  section.  The  founders  held  their  meeting  in  the  prin- 
cipal coffee-house  or  restaurant  in  a  building  known  as 
Fraunces's  Tavern,  which  still  exists,  restored  to  its  original 
form,  under  that  historic  name.  As  it  was  the  first  home  of 
the  Chamber,  and  its  first  sessions  were  held  there  in  a  room 
which  remains  virtually  unchanged  to-day,  a  brief  history  of 
it  is  given  in  another  chapter. 

The  full  text  of  the  resolutions  adopted  at  the  first  meet- 
ing of  the  Chamber,  together  with  the  names  of  the  twenty 
founders,  will  be  found  in  the  Appendix  of  this  volume.  His- 
torians have  spoken  of  1768  as  the  year  of  hope  and  promise 
and  the  beginning  of  the  golden  age  of  the  colonial  period. 
The  twenty  gentlemen  who  came  together  on  that  April 
evening  were  the  recognized  leaders  of  the  community, 
true  representatives  of  its  social  and  political  life  as  well  as 
of  its  commercial  activities.  Their  names  reveal  the  cos- 
mopolitan character  of  the  city,  for  in  them  can  be  traced 
Dutch,  English,  Scotch,  Irish,  Danish,  German,  and  other 
lineage.  Many  of  these  names,  passed  on  from  honored 
father  to  worthy  son,  have  persisted  to  this  day,  made  familiar, 
not  only  by  the  presence  of  descendants,  but  in  the  nomen- 
clature of  the  city's  thoroughfares.  They  and  their  descen- 
dants have  been  the  writers  of  the  city's  history  through  many 
years,  for  in  the  proceedings  of  the  society  which  they  founded 
can  be  traced  every  important  step  of  its  growth  in  numbers, 
wealth,  and  power. 


JOHN  CRUGER. 
First  President  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 
Painted  by  Thomas  Hicks  in  1863  from  an  oritfiual  miniature.    Collection  of  the  Cbunber  of  Qanme 


CHAPTER  n 
SOCIAL  HABITS  OF  THE  PERIOD 

PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  EARLY  SESSIONS — REMOVAL  TO  NEW 
QUARTERS — OPPOSITION  TO  BRITISH  TAXATION 

I 768-1 770 

An  eloquent  historian  of  colonial  days  in  New  York,  de- 
picting the  disturbing  change  wrought  in  the  Dutch  city  by 
the  advent  of  Englishmen,  especially  shopkeep)ers,  in  large 
numbers,  a  decade  or  so  before  the  founding  of  the  Chamber 
of  Commerce,  writes: 

With  new  habits  and  hours  of  business  the  English  also  intro- 
duced a  new  beverage,  which  was  destined  to  become  one  of  the 
civilizers  of  the  world,  and  to  do  more  to  refine  society  than  any 
invention  of  science  or  act  of  legislation.  Ale-drinking  had  given 
way  to  tea-drinking.  The  fair  hands  of  lovely  dames  no  longer 
swung  the  hea\y  tankard,  and  the  foam  of  beer  marred  no  more 
the  beauty  of  their  rosy  lips.  Men  left  their  deep  potations  to 
watch  the  graceful  play  of  taper  fingers  dallying  with  delicate 
cups  of  porcelain  and  hght  spoons  of  precious  metal.  At  the  tea 
table  woman  reigned  supreme.  That  soft  influence  which  could 
humanize  a  Johnson,  soon  modified  the  relations  of  the  sexes  and 
added  to  social  life  a  charm  before  unknown;  yet  not  without  a 
murmur  here  and  there  from  some  conservative  Englishman,  who 
would  fain  ding  to  the  old  customs. 

Whatever  changes  may  have  been  caused  in  social  life  by 
the  advent  of  tea,  the  merchants  of  1768  seem  to  have  es- 
caped the  influence,  for  they  were  "swinging  the  heavy 
tankard"  of  beer  at  their  regular  meetings  and  did  not  in- 
clude tea  in  their  list  of  refreshments,  for  a  formal  statement 

s 


6  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

of  the  articles  of  the  Chamber  adopted  at  its  sixth  meeting 
contained  this  provision: 

A  proper  room  for  the  meeting  of  members  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce  is  to  be  provided,  and  the  Treasurer  is  to  have  Bread 
and  Cheese,  Beer,  Punch,  Pipes  and  Tobacco,  provided  at  the 
expense  of  the  members  present,  so  that  it  doth  not  exceed  one 
shilling  each  man,  which  each  person  is  to  pay  to  the  Treasurer 
at  their  respective  meetings. 

The  Treasurer  was  instructed  at  the  first  meeting  to  "pro- 
vide a  strong  chest  wherein  shaU  be  deposited  the  cash,  books 
and  papers  (of  the  Chamber)  which  is  to  have  three  different 
good  locks  and  keys — one  key  to  be  kept  by  the  President, 
one  by  the  Treasurer,  and  the  third  by  the  Secretary;  the  chest 
for  the  present  to  be  kept  at  the  Treasurer's." 

As  an  inducement  to  regular  attendance  at  meetings  a 
system  of  fines  was  instituted  which  was  maintained  for  many 
years.  Every  member  not  attending  a  monthly  meeting 
must  forfeit  and  pay  to  the  Treasurer  two  shillings,  imless  a 
cause  for  absence.  Judged  reasonable  by  the  Chamber,  was 
given.  Sickness  and  six  miles  from  the  city  were  specified  as 
reasonable  excuses. 

The  membership  of  the  Chamber  grew  steadily  and  quite 
rapidly  from  the  outset.  At  the  second  meeting  the  number 
was  more  than  doubled  by  the  election  of  twenty-one  mem- 
bers. At  the  same  meeting  there  were  five  absentees,  four  of 
whom  gave  excuses.  Two  were  "not  well,"  one  was  "in 
Connecticut,"  and  a  fourth  "in  the  gout."  There  was  a  full 
attendance  at  the  third  meeting,  but  evidently  there  was  a 
lack  of  promptness  in  assembling,  for  it  was  proposed  that  in 
future  meetings  any  member  not  present  at  six  o'clock  should 
forfeit  one  shilling.  It  was  also  proposed  that  "every  gentle- 
man who  hath  anything  to  prop>ose  shall  do  it  in  writing." 

Both  proposals  were  put  into  effect  at  the  fourth  meeting. 
Eight  members  were  fined  for  absence  without  excuse  and 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  7 

twenty-two  for  "appearing  after  six  o'clock."  Fines  for 
tardiness  and  absence  without  excuse  were  imposed  rigorously 
at  subsequent  meetings  and  lists  of  the  offenders  were  pub- 
lished in  the  minutes.  At  one  of  the  early  meetings  a  new 
fine  was  imposed.  Any  member  departing  before  the  busi- 
ness was  done,  without  excuse  by  the  President,  was  to 
forfeit  four  shillings.  Among  the  excuses  for  absence  at  a 
meeting  were  the  following,  which  are  of  interest  because  of 
the  spelling  and  the  limit  of  distance  required:  "Blooman- 
dale,"  "flat  Bush,"  "Setauket,"  and  "Jerseys."  Fines  were 
evidently  the  favorite  remedy  for  all  kinds  of  troubles.  It 
was  decreed  that  any  member  failing  to  rise  and  address  the 
chair  when  he  had  a  proposal  to  make,  or  interrupting  an- 
other member  while  speaking,  should  forfeit  one  shilling.  It 
was  voted  in  November,  1769,  that  only  merchants  should 
be  eligible  for  membership. 

Two  years  after  the  foundation  the  admission  fee  was 
doubled.  In  March,  1770,  it  was  resolved  that  as  soon  as  the 
membership  reached  eighty  each  person  admitted  should 
pay  ten  Spanish  dollars,  and  this  should  be  the  fee  until  the 
membership  reached  ninety,  when  it  should  be  increased  to 
twelve  and  a  half  Spanish  dollars  until  there  were  one  hun- 
dred members,  and  after  that  an  increase  of  two  and  a  half 
dollars  for  every  additional  ten  members.  At  the  same 
time  it  was  resolved  that  three  black  balls  should  be  suj65cient 
to  disqualify  a  candidate  for  admission  when  only  thirty 
members  were  present;  four  when  there  were  more  than 
thirty;  five  when  there  were  more  than  forty,  and  so  on,  an 
additional  black  ball  for  every  increase  of  ten  in  the  members 
present. 

The  first  audit  of  the  Treasurer's  accounts,  made  in  June, 
1769,  showed  that  the  three  separate  keys  provided  for  the 
"strong  chest"  had  not  sufficed  to  keep  its  funds  intact,  for 
the  auditing  committee  reported  that  the  Treasurer  owed  the 
Chamber  sixty-nine  pyounds,  five  shillings,  and  five  pence. 


8  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

No  subsequent  mention  of  the  deficit  appears  in  the  record 
and  it  was  doubtless  made  up  by  the  Treasurer,  for  he  was  a 
highly  honored  merchant  and  citizen,  and  was  continued  in 
oflSce  for  many  years  afterward. 

Before  it  had  reached  the  end  of  its  first  year  of  existence 
the  Chamber  had  in  its  membership  a  large  majority  of  the 
merchants  of  the  city  and  was  a  firmly  established  institu- 
tion. It  had  outgrown  its  quarters,  and  in  February,  1769, 
it  resolved  to  move  for  the  reason  that  "it  appears  highly 
necessary  for  this  Chamber  to  have  a  decent,  large  and  com- 
modious room  to  meet  in."  A  special  committee  of  the  Cham- 
ber was  appointed  to  secure  a  room  in  the  Royal  Exchange 
and  reported  at  the  March  meeting  in  1769  that  the  Corpora- 
tion which  controlled  the  building  had  agreed  to  permit  the 
Chamber  to  have  the  use  of  its  large  room  free  for  one  year 
from  the  ist  of  May  following,  on  condition  of  making  such 
repairs  as  were  required,  and  after  that  time  on  payment  of 
an  annual  rental  of  twenty  pounds.  A  description  of  the 
Royal  Exchange  appears  in  the  chapter  on  "Temporary 
Homes  of  the  Chamber." 

Apparently  there  was  no  method  of  heating,  for  in  October, 
1770,  it  was  proposed  that  a  "proper  stove  be  erected  at  the 
lower  end  of  this  room  for  the  comfort  of  members  the  ap- 
proaching Winter."  Whether  one  was  provided  or  not  does 
not  appear  from  the  record,  neither  is  any  intimation  given 
as  to  its  character.  The  modern  stove  was  unknown  at  that 
period,  but  the  Franklin  stove,  familiar  to  this  day,  invented 
in  1742,  was  in  general  use  in  the  colonies  and  may  have  been 
the  one  proposed  for  the  Chamber.  Franklin  described  the 
variety  of  his  invention  that  he  designed  for  public  buildings 
as  "in  the  form  of  temples  cast  in  iron,  with  columns,  cornices, 
and  every  member  of  elegant  architecture." 

About  the  same  time  an  entry  appears  of  an  accoimt  ren- 
dered by  the  Doorkeeper  of  the  Chamber  for  fifteen  pounds 
annual  salary  and  two  pounds,  fifteen  shillings,  and  two  pence 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  9 

for  firewood  and  candles.  A  committee  was  appointed  to 
"employ  and  agree  with  some  fit  person  to  make  tables,  etc., 
and  put  the  said  Room  in  order  for  the  Chamber. "  The  his- 
torian of  "Colonial  New  York,"  John  Austin  Stevens,  Jr., 
writing  in  1867  of  the  sessions  of  the  society,  said: 

The  meetings  of  the  Chamber  in  the  last  century  were  of  a 
different  fashion  from  that  of  the  present  day.  Pleasure  and 
business  were  joined  together  in  these  gatherings  of  the  solid  men 
of  old  New  York.  The  hour  of  meeting  was  at  six  o'clock,  and  the 
debates  were  held  over  long  tables,  "where  Bread  and  Cheese, 
Beer,  Punch,  Pipes  and  Tobacco"  were  regularly  provided  by  the 
Treasurer,  as  ordered  in  the  By-laws.  The  pipe  was  still  in  fashion 
among  the  old  Knickerbockers;  not  the  modem  meerschaum  but 
the  good  old  Dutch  clay  of  Holland,  hogsheads  of  which  appeared 
in  the  list  of  importations.  Cigars  were  then  uncommon,  if  at  all 
known,  to  New  Yorkers. 

If  the  cigar  was  little  known  at  this  time  it  seems  to  have 
come  into  quite  general  usage  about  twenty  years  later,  for 
a  traveller,  writing  of  his  experiences  in  the  United  States  in 
1788,  makes  the  following  philosophic  observations: 

The  habit  of  smoking  has  not  disappeared  from  the  town  with 
other  customs  brought  in  by  its  first  Dutch  founders.  They 
chiefly  smoke  cigars  from  the  Spanish  islands.  These  are  leaves 
of  a  fragrant  tobacco  six  inches  in  length  which  are  smoked  with- 
out the  aid  of  any  instrument.  This  habit  shocks  the  French.  It 
must  be  distasteful  to  women  as  it  destroys  the  sweetness  of  the 
breath.  It  will  be  condemned  by  the  Philosopher  as  a  super- 
fluous want.  But  it  has  one  merit.  It  tends  to  meditation;  it 
checks  loquacity;  the  smoker  asks  a  question;  the  reply  does  not 
come  for  two  minutes  after,  and  is  a  sound  one.  The  cigar  per- 
forms the  part  which  the  Philosopher  drew  from  the  glass  of  water 
which  he  drank  when  angry. 

During  the  period  of  its  occupancy  the  Chamber  seems  to 
have  defrayed  all  expenses  for  repairs.  The  Doorkeeper  pre- 
sented bills  for  glazing  windows  at  regular  intervals  and  there 
was  an  outlay  of  twenty  pounds  for  repairing  the  cupola,  a 


lo  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

leak  in  which  damaged  the  ceiling  of  the  room.  How  so  many 
windows  needed  glazing  is  not  explained,  but  the  breakage 
seems  to  have  been  a  continuous  performance. 

The  Chamber  continued  to  occupy  the  room  in  the  Royal 
Exchange  Building  till  the  beginning  of  the  Revolution  in  1775. 

While  the  members  of  the  Chamber  were  all  at  this  time 
loyal  subjects  of  the  British  crown,  they  were  strenuous  and 
inflexible  opponents  of  taxation  without  representation. 
Their  first  President,  John  Cruger,  was  the  author  of  the  cele- 
brated "Declaration  of  Rights  and  Grievances  of  the  Colo- 
nists in  America,"  which  had  been  addressed  by  the  first  Con- 
gress of  the  colonies  to  the  British  Government  in  1765. 
His  name  and  that  of  many  other  members  of  the  Chamber 
appeared  in  the  list  of  two  hundred  New  York  merchants 
who  bound  themselves  by  solemn  agreement  on  October  31, 
1765,  to  trade  no  more  with  Great  Britain  till  the  Stamp  Act 
was  repealed.  As  Mayor  of  New  York,  he  had  received  from 
the  Lieutenant-Governor  of  the  colony,  Cadwallader  Colden, 
the  consignment  of  stamps  sent  out  to  the  colonists  and  sur- 
rendered by  Colden  to  the  city  council  after  an  infuriated  mob 
had  assembled  before  his  house,  torn  up  the  palings  about 
the  Bowling  Green  and  created  with  them  a  bonfire  in  which 
they  burned  his  carriage  with  his  effigy  in  it. 

When,  therefore,  early  in  the  year  1769,  the  British  Par- 
liament passed  an  act  imposing  duties  on  tea,  paper,  glass, 
etc.,  professedly  for  revenue,  it  was  inevitable  that  Mr.  Cruger 
and  his  fellow  merchants  should  renew  the  protest  and  re- 
affirm the  action  that  they  had  taken  in  1765.  They  did  so 
as  merchants  rather  than  as  members  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce,  but  it  is  very  clear  from  the  records  that  its  mem- 
bers were  leaders  in  the  proceedings,  for  there  appears  in 
them,  under  date  of  May  2,  1769,  this  entry: 

Mr.  President  reported  that  the  Honourable  House  of  Assembly 
had  directed  him  to  signify  their  thanks  to  the  merchants  of  this 


Reproductions  from  Original  Stamps  Used  Under  the  Stamp  Act 
Passed  by  the  British  Parliament,  March  22,  1765. 

By  courtesy  of  Mr.  James  Brown. 


A  box  of  these  stamps  (each  amounting  to  */e  ster- 
ling) was  found  in  the  ruins  of  the  old  Houses  of  Par- 
liament when  they  were  destroyed  by  fire  in  1834. 
These  specimens  with  others  were  sent  out  about  that 
time  to  the  late  Mr.  James  Brown,  of  New  York,  one 
of  the  founders  of  Brown  Brothers,  merchant  bankers, 
by  his  brother,  the  late  Sir  William  Brown,  M.  P. 
from  South  Lancashire,  England. 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS  ii 

City  and  Colony  for  their  Patriotic  conduct  in  declining  the  Im- 
portation of  Goods  from  Great  Britain  at  this  juncture,  which 
being  read,  was  in  the  words  following: 

Gentlemen: 

I  have  it  in  charge  from  the  General  Assembly  to  give  the 
Merchants  of  this  City  and  Colony  the  Thanks  of  the  House  for 
their  repeated  disinterested,  pubUck  spirited  and  patriotic  conduct 
in  declining  the  importation  or  receiving  of  goods  from  Great 
Britain,  untill  such  Acts  of  Parliament  as  the  General  Assembly 
had  declared  unconstitutional  and  subversive  of  the  Rights  and 
Liberties  of  the  People  of  this  Colony,  should  be  repealed. 

It  was  ordered  by  the  Chamber  that  a  committee  be  ap- 
pointed to  "prepare  and  deliver  a  draught  of  thanks  to  the 
Honorable  House  for  the  particular  notice  they  have  taken  of 
the  Merchants  that  compose  this  Chamber."  Mr.  Cruger 
was  Speaker  of  the  Assembly  as  well  as  President  of  the 
Chamber  at  the  time. 


CHAPTER  ni 
ROYAL  CHARTER  FOR  THE  CHAMBER 

VICISSITUDES  or  THE   SEAL  AND   OF  GOVERNOR  COLDEN'S 
PORTRAIT 

I 770-1 774 

On  February  15,  1770,  a  petition  was  approved  by  the 
Chamber  requesting  the  Lieutenant-Governor  of  the  colony 
to  grant  a  charter  incorporating  the  society.  When  this  was 
presented  to  Governor  Colden  he  expressed  his  willingness  to 
grant  the  request  by  saying:  "I  think  it  a  good  institution, 
and  will  always  be  glad  to  promote  the  Commercial  Literests 
of  this  City,  and  shaU  deem  it  a  pecuhar  happiness  that  a 
society  so  beneficial  to  the  General  good  of  the  Province  is 
incorporated  during  my  administration." 

The  royal  charter  was  granted  under  date  of  March  13, 1770. 
On  March  24  an  address  approved  by  the  Chamber  and 
signed  by  Mr.  Cruger,  as  President,  was  read  to  Governor 
Colden,  thanking  him  for  the  grant,  and  declaring:  "We  beg 
leave  to  assure  your  Honour  that  our  utmost  Ambition  is  to 
approve  ourselves  useful  members  of  the  Commimity,  sub- 
missive to  the  Laws,  zealous  for  the  Support  of  Government, 
and  our  happy  Constitution,  and  firmly  attached  to  our  most 
Gracious  Sovereign;  and  that  we  will  exert  ourselves  on  all 
occasions  to  promote  the  General  Interest  of  the  Colony,  and 
the  Commerce  of  this  City  in  particular;  that  the  Utility  of 
the  Institution  and  the  Wisdom  of  its  Founder  may  be  equally 
applauded  by  the  latest  Posterity." 

The  charter,  which  is  published  in  full  in  the  Appendix, 
embodied  the  articles  previously  adopted  by  the  Chamber 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  13 

and  contained  in  addition  the  right  to  acquire  real  estate  to 
the  value  of  three  thousand  pounds  sterling,  to  have  a  com- 
mon seal,  and  to  erect  out  of  their  funds  such  building  as  the 
members  might  think  necessary  for  the  use  of  the  society. 
The  original  charter  was  a  document  about  three  feet  in  width, 
with  the  massive  wax  seal  of  the  crown,  six  inches  in  diameter, 
attached  to  it.  It  disappeared  many  years  ago.  At  the  out- 
break of  the  Revolution  it  was  apparently  in  the  possession  of 
William  Walton,  President  of  the  Chamber  in  1775,  who  seems 
to  have  stored  it  in  his  residence  known  as  the  "Walton 
House"  in  Pearl  Street,  on  what  was  later  Franklin  Square, 
which  was  regarded  as  the  finest  dwelling  of  its  time.  It 
stood  on  the  south  side  of  the  street,  was  three  stories  high, 
built  of  Holland  brick  and  brown  stone,  with  a  frontage  of 
fifty-four  feet,  and  with  gardens  in  the  rear  extending  down  to 
the  river.  It  is  said  to  have  had  a  "superb  staircase,  with  ma- 
hogany handrails  and  banisters,  by  age  dark  as  ebony,  which 
would  not  disgrace  a  nobleman's  palace,"  and  to  have  been  a 
"noble  specimen  of  English  architecture  a  century  ago,  with 
fluted  colimins,  surmounted  with  armorial  bearings,  richly 
carved  and  ornamented,  upholding  its  broad  portico,  and  the 
heads  of  lions,  cut  from  freestone,  looking  down  between  the 
windows  upon  the  passers." 

Mr.  Walton,  it  is  recorded,  "was  very  hospitable  and  gave, 
as  he  could  well  afford,  the  most  sumptuous  entertainments 
of  any  person  in  those  plain,  but  bounteous  days.  His  table 
was  spread  with  the  choicest  viands,  and  a  forest  of  decanters, 
sparkling  with  the  most  delicious  wines.  The  sideboard 
groaned  with  the  weight  of  massive  silver."  Truly  a  wonder- 
ful picture  of  the  simple  life  led  by  our  forefathers ! 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution,  Mr.  Walton,  who  had 
joined  in  the  opposition  to  the  Stamp  Act  and  other  efforts 
of  the  British  ParUament  to  tax  the  colonies,  found  himself 
unable  to  break  with  his  loyalist  associations  and  remained 
faithful  to  the  British  cause  during  the  war,  serving  in  the 


14  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

Chamber  of  Commerce  when  it  was  revived  as  a  loyalist  body 
during  the  British  occupation  of  the  city. 

His  son,  Jacob  Walton,  who  was  a  rear-admiral  in  the 
British  navy,  returned  to  the  United  States  in  1822,  to  take 
possession  of  his  father's  property,  including  the  Walton 
House,  then  far  gone  in  decay  through  neglect.  In  the  attic 
of  the  mansion,  among  a  vast  accumulation  of  objects  of  all 
sorts,  he  foimd  a  mahogany  box  in  which,  encased  in  tin,  was 
discovered  the  original  charter  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 
It  was  transferred  in  1827  to  the  rooms  of  the  Chamber  in 
the  Merchants'  Exchange,  where  it  is  supposed  to  have  been 
destroyed  when  the  building  was  burned  in  1835,  as  no  trace 
has  been  found  of  it  since. 

The  original  seal  of  the  Chamber,  after  many  vicissitudes, 
is  stiU  in  possession  of  the  Chamber.  It  was  made  in  Lon- 
don, in  1772,  and  was  brought  to  this  country  by  Captain 
Winn,  commander  of  a  trading-vessel.  In  the  minutes 
of  the  Chamber  for  May  5,  1772,  appears  the  following: 
"Proposed  that  seven  Guineas  be  paid  to  Capt.  Isaac  L. 
Winn  in  addition  to  the  ten  Guineas  already  paid  Mr.  Bache, 
late  treasurer,  for  a  seal  of  this  Corporation." 

The  seal  bears  the  date  of  the  royal  charter  of  the  Chamber, 
1770,  is  of  soHd  silver,  about  three  inches  in  diameter,  and 
about  one  inch  in  thickness.  It  bears  the  motto  '^Non  Nobis 
Nati  Solum  "  ("  Not  bom  for  ourselves  alone  ") .  It  disappeared 
during  the  Revolution  and  was  recovered  by  marvellous  chance 
a  few  years  later.  A  gentleman,  so  modest  that  he  declined 
to  give  his  name  to  a  grateful  posterity,  was  looking  over 
the  collection  of  a  curiosity-shop  in  London  when  he  came 
across  it  and  at  once  sent  it  to  the  Chamber.  Another  "  find," 
scarcely  less  marvellous,  was  made  by  Prosper  W.  Wetmore, 
Secretary  of  the  Chamber  in  1843,  who  discovered  the  only 
two  volumes  of  the  early  records  of  the  Chamber  that  are  in 
existence  in  a  lumber-box  in  a  store  in  Front  Street.  Without 
these  volumes  a  history  of  the  Chamber  could  never  have 


GREAT  SEAL  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE.   1770. 

Reproduced  from  an  impression  of  the  original  SeaL 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  15 

been  written.  They  constitute  a  complete  account  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  society  from  its  foundation  in  1768  till 
its  reorganization  under  State  Charter  in  1784. 

In  April,  1771,  about  a  year  after  the  grant  of  the  royal 
charter,  it  was  proposed  that  as  the  "Lieut.  Governor  was 
very  kind  in  favoring  this  Corporation  with  a  Charter  and  as 
there  is  now  a  good  Limner  in  towh,  that  Mr.  President  be 
desired  to  request  the  favour  of  Mr.  Colden  to  sit  for  his 
Picture  to  be  put  in  the  Chamber  as  a  Memorial  of  their 
Gratitude."  This  was  unanimously  adopted.  It  is  recorded 
in  the  minutes  of  October  6,  1772,  that  the  "President  ex- 
hibited Mr.  Pratt's  account  amounting  to  37  pounds  for  tak- 
ing Governor  Colden's  portrait  in  full  length  to  be  placed  in 
the  Chamber."  At  the  next  meeting  the  bill  was  ordered  to 
be  paid  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  "agree  for  a 
Frame."  The  frame  was  purchased  and  the  portrait  was 
hung  in  the  room  of  the  Chamber  in  the  Royal  Exchange 
till  the  beginning  of  the  Revolution  in  1775.  The  room  in  the 
Exchange  was  not  occupied  by  the  Chamber  during  the 
Revolution,  and  in  that  period  the  p>ortrait  seems  to  have 
passed  into  the  hands  of  Colden's  family,  for  there  is  an  entry 
on  the  minutes  of  the  Chamber  in  February,  1791,  saying  that 
a  picture  of  Cadwallader  Colden,  in  good  condition,  was  in 
the  possession  of  persons  who  were  willing  to  restore  it  to  the 
Chamber.  At  the  request  of  the  Chamber  it  was  returned 
by  the  son  of  Governor  Colden  and  was  hung  on  the  wall  of 
the  room  occupied  by  the  Chamber  at  that  time  in  the  Mer- 
chants' Coffee  House,  which  stood  on  the  southeast  comer  of 
Wall  and  Water  Streets,  which  was  then  the  water-front. 
When  the  place  of  meeting  was  changed  to  the  Tontine  Build- 
ing in  1793  the  portrait  was  removed  to  that  place.  In  1827, 
when  the  Chamber  found  quarters  in  the  Merchants'  Ex- 
change, the  picture  was  repaired  and  its  frame  regilded  and  it 
was  hung  with  a  portrait  of  Hamilton  by  Tnmibull  in  the 
entrance-hall  on  the  lower  floor  of  the  building.    Both  these 


i6  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

portraits  were  rescued  from  the  fire  of  1835,  and,  covered 
with  canvas,  were  stored  in  a  garret  in  Wall  Street.  They 
were  foimd  there  in  1843  ^y  Mr.  Wetmore,  Secretary  of  the 
Chamber,  somewhat  damaged  by  mildew  and  dust.  They 
were  completely  restored  and  are  among  the  choicest  of  the 
treasures  which  the  Chamber  has  on  exhibition  in  its  per- 
manent home. 


CHAPTER  IV 
EARLY  STAND  FOR  HONEST  MONEY 

STEPS  IN  ITS  INTEREST  AND  IN  THAT  OF  PURE  FOOD  AND 
BUSINESS  INTEGRITY 

1768-1774 

From  the  very  beginning  of  its  existence  the  Chamber 
manifested  that  keen  and  sensitive  devotion  to  the  highest 
weKare  of  the  community  which  has  been  its  distinguishing 
characteristic  throughout  its  career.  By  their  j&rst  acts  as  a 
body  the  members  showed  that  in  forming  their  organization 
the  impelling  motive  had  been  a  conviction  that  they  had  a 
public  duty  to  perform.  At  the  moment,  the  city  as  well  as 
the  country  was  suffering  from  the  evils  of  a  depredated 
paper  currency.  Each  colony  had  a  brand  of  its  own,  with  a 
value  of  its  own,  and  the  result  was  confusion  and  discredit 
ever)rwhere  in  the  channels  of  trade.  At  its  second  meeting 
the  Chamber  took  up  this  question  in  a  proposal  that  at  some 
future  meeting  it  should  declare  whether  the  society  should 
"discourage  the  paper  currency  of  Pennsylvania  from  pass- 
ing in  this  colony"  and  whether  the  paper  currency  of  Jersey 
should  be  received  at  a  valuation  above  that  given  to  it  by 
the  Jersey  treasury.  This  proved  to  be  a  very  troublesome 
question,  so  far  as  Jersey  currency  was  concerned.  The  Penn- 
sylvania part  of  it  was  disposed  of  easily,  for  the  financial 
p>osition  of  that  colony  at  the  time  was  better  than  that  of 
New  York,  and  its  trade  was  in  a  more  flourishing  condition. 
By  a  great  majority  the  Chamber  voted  at  its  eighth  meeting 
in  October,  1768,  that  hereafter  "Pennsylvania  money  be 
received  by  any  member  that  inclines  to  take  it  at  6|j(  per 
cent  advance." 

17 


i8  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

The  problem  of  New  Jersey  currency  was  a  far  more  diffi- 
cult one  because  of  a  practice  which  had  grown  up  of  re- 
ceiving it  at  a  higher  valuation  than  the  State's  own  treasury 
placed  upon  it.  After  four  years  of  debate  and  repeated  post- 
ponement, a  resolution  was  passed  in  March,  1772,  that 
on  and  after  the  3d  of  September  following,  Jersey  money 
should  be  received  or  paid  by  members  of  the  Chamber  only 
at  the  valuation  fixed  by  the  State's  treasury.  The  imme- 
diate result  was  the  resignation  of  eighteen  members  who 
declared  that  they  could  not  conform  to  the  regulation  with- 
out injury  to  their  business.  Many  other  members  absented 
themselves  from  the  meetings  of  the  Chamber  for  the  same 
reason. 

In  January,  1774,  the  action  was  rescinded.  Every  member 
was  declared  to  be  at  liberty  to  receive  and  pay  Jersey  money 
as  formerly  current,  and  the  members  who  had  resigned  were 
invited  to  offer  themselves  as  candidates  for  re-election  under 
the  annual  ballot  restrictions.  In  extending  the  invitation 
the  Chamber  stood  firmly  by  the  principle  of  its  original  action 
by  declaring  that  the  members  who  persisted  in  receiving 
Jersey  currency  above  its  State  value  were  by  so  doing  "de- 
preciating our  own  currency,"  which,  of  course,  was  the  fact. 
Thus  early  the  Chamber  took  its  position  in  favor  of  a  sound 
money  system,  though  it  failed  to  stand  by  its  guns  when  the 
first  real  test  arose. 

Another  matter  which  was  taken  in  hand  at  the  second 
meeting  was  carried  to  a  more  complete  success.  This  in- 
volved the  principle  of  fair  dealing  in  trade,  a  fundamental 
principle  which  the  Chamber  had  been  founded  to  maintain. 
The  staple  product  and  chief  export  article  of  the  colony  was 
wheat,  surprising  as  that  may  seem  at  the  present  day. 
There  were  many  and  serious  complaints  about  its  quality 
and  price.  A  proposal  was  made  that  the  Chamber  consider 
whether  the  price  of  flour  and  bread  casks  could  not  be  re- 
duced, and  at  the  next  meeting  it  was  voted  unanimously 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  19 

that  after  a  fixed  date  no  member  should  pay  more  than  a 
certain  price.  It  was  also  decreed  that  steps  should  be  taken 
to  detect  fraudulent  practices  in  the  construction  of  casks 
and  to  have  the  flour  inspected  and  weighed.  The  members 
were  instructed  to  do  all  in  their  power  in  these  proceedings 
for  the  detection  of  fraud  and  to  bring  offenders  to  justice. 

A  combination  was  formed  by  the  bolters,  millers,  bakers, 
and  sellers  of  flour  to  oppose  the  Chamber's  action  and  main- 
tain existing  prices.  This  was  met  at  once  by  the  Chamber 
in  sending  an  agent  to  Philadelphia  with  authority  to  pur- 
chase from  fifteen  himdred  to  two  thousand  barrels  of  flour 
at  the  lowest  price  obtainable,  have  them  shipped  to  New 
York,  members  of  the  Chamber  to  be  supplied  first  and  the 
remainder  to  be  disposed  of  on  account  of  the  Chamber. 
The  flour  was  purchased  £Lnd  shipped,  but  before  its  arrival 
representatives  of  the  combination  surrendered  uncondition- 
ally. The  following  note  in  the  record  of  the  Chamber's 
meeting  of  November  14,  1768,  quaintly  tells  the  story  of 
the  victory: 

Several  of  the  sellers  of  Flour,  Bakers,  and  Boulters  attended  the 
meeting,  upon  notice  given  them  that  the  Chamber  was  ready  to 
hear  anything  that  could  be  said  in  support  of  their  late  demand  of 
raising  the  price  of  flour  and  bread  cask  from  25s.  6d.  to  28s., 
which  they  demanded  lately  on  account  of  flour  being  rather  scarce. 
But  their  allegations  did  not  amount  to  sufl&cient  proof  for  the 
Chamber  to  alter  their  resolution;  and  both  parties  debating 
thereon,  they,  the  Flour  sellers.  Bakers,  and  Boulters,  acquiesced 
with  charging  in  the  future  no  more  than  25s.  6d.  per  ton,  craving, 
at  the  same  time,  that  the  Chamber  would  take  into  their  considera- 
tion at  their  next  meeting  the  difficulty  they  have  to  make  their 
principals  give  into  the  measures  adopted  by  the  Chamber. 

Having  thus  secured  supervision  of  the  flour  business,  the 
Chamber  proceeded  to  impose  strict  regulation  upon  it  and  to 
take  measures  for  improving  the  quality  of  the  flour.  It 
referred  the  question  of  a  more  rigid  system  of  inspection  to  a 


20  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

committee  which  made  a  formal  report  in  which  it  said  that 
an  improved  inspection  system  of  flour  imported  from  the 
colony  was  necessary  "so  as  if  possible  to  retrieve  its  general 
disrepute  in  all  parts  of  the  world."  The  committee  recom- 
mended a  single  inspector,  giving  in  support  of  the  proposal 
this  interesting  narrative  of  the  eager  rivalry  in  rascality 
which  had  grown  up  under  the  old  system: 

Whereas,  on  the  footing  the  law  now  stands,  of  admitting  several 
Inspectors  of  equal  authority,  each  endeavors  to  establish  a  reputa- 
tion with  the  Flour  Sellers  and  Factors,  and  to  secure  a  preference 
of  their  business;  not  by  vieing  with  each  other  who  shall  inspect 
best,  but  who  shall  suffer  the  worst  Flour  to  pass  inspection;  and 
there  have  been  instances  where  one  Inspector  has  condemned, 
and  for  that  reason  not  been  allowed  to  proceed  any  further,  when 
another  has  given  the  sanction  of  his  brand  to  aU  the  remaining 
parcel  of  the  same  sort  of  Flour. 

The  committee  recommended  also  that  the  single  inspector 
should  not  only  "advert  to  the  flour  being  of  a  proper  fineness, 
but  carefully  to  examine  (either  by  mixing  up  a  little  of  the 
Flour  into  a  cake  and  baking  it,  or  by  some  other  effectual  ex- 
periment) whether  it  has  not  been  injured  by  being  ground  too 
close,  or  in  some  other  way,  so  as  to  prevent  its  riseing  and 
making  light  white  bread;  and  that  he  ought  not  to  brand  it 
for  exportation  if  deficient  in  any  of  these  respects." 

After  providing  for  better  inspection  the  Chamber  took 
steps  to  improve  the  quality  of  the  flour  by  advocating  the 
importation  of  "French  Burrstones"  for  the  better  grinding 
of  the  wheat,  the  reputation  for  superior  quality  which  the 
Philadelphia  flour  enjoyed  being  attributable  to  the  use  of 
those  stones,  for  the  "wheat  from  the  North  River  is  much 
better  than  any  which  comes  to  Philadelphia." 

These  and  other  steps  taken  at  that  early  day  for  the  es- 
tablishment of  the  principle  of  fair  dealing  in  trade,  for  the 
encouragement  of  commerce,  and  for  the  best  welfare  of  the 
people  of  the  city,  are  merely  examples  of  its  general  conduct. 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  21 

It  took  steps  to  fix  a  standard  ton  for  all  other  articles  of  ex- 
port, as  well  as  flour,  to  afl&x  a  stable  value  to  coins  in  circula- 
tion, to  regulate  procedure  as  to  bills  of  exchange,  and  to 
establish  rates  of  commission  in  business  transactions. 


CHAPTER  V 
"THE  GOOD  OF  THEIR  COUNTRY" 

STANDARD   RATES  FOR  COINS — PRIZES  FOR  FISH   CATCHES 
1770-1774 

In  one  of  the  early  deKverances  of  the  Chamber,  the  con- 
trolling purpose  of  its  members  during  the  entire  colonial 
period  was  stated  with  strict  accuracy  as  follows:  "Cheer- 
fully to  embrace  the  means  which  shall  appear  to  them  most 
likely  to  promote  the  great  object  of  their  steady  pursuit, 
^The  Good  of  Their  Country.^"  They  neither  wavered  nor 
paused  in  pursuit  of  this  purpose.  The  records  of  the  Cham- 
ber are  crowded  with  acts  for  such  regulation  of  trade  and 
commerce  as  would  put  it  on  a  basis  of  honorable  dealing  and 
enhance  the  reputation  of  the  colony  in  the  eyes  of  the  world, 
thereby  contributing  most  effectively  to  the  welfare  and  prog- 
ress of  the  city.  Every  act  of  this  kind  was  advertised  in  the 
newspapers  in  order  that  the  people  might  be  made  acquainted 
with  what  was  being  done  in  their  behalf.  As  the  city  was 
primarily  a  commercial  community,  commercial  leadership 
was  what  it  most  needed,  and  this  the  Chamber  supplied. 
The  lack  of  such  leadership  in  the  past  had  so  hindered  the 
city's  development  that  the  volume  of  its  trade  was  less  than 
that  of  Boston  or  Philadelphia.  The  founders  of  the  Cham- 
ber, realizing  the  superior  advantages  of  position  which  the 
city  possessed,  and,  perhaps,  foreseeing  dimly  its  future 
greatness  in  the  commercial  world,  took  upon  themselves  the 
task  of  winning  for  the  city  the  rank  to  which  it  was  entitled. 
Perceiving  that  the  development  of  its  trade  was  hindered  by 
various  shackles  which  ignorance  and  cupidity  had  placed 
upon  it,  the  Chamber  devoted  itself  with  great  energy,  firm- 
ness, and  patience  to  the  removal  of  these. 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  23 

Next  to  a  depreciated  paper  currency,  the  greatest  annoy- 
ance in  commercial  dealings  was  caused  by  the  circulation  in 
large  quantities  of  foreign  ^oins  at  varying  values.  There 
were  more  than  a  dozen  varieties  of  these,  English,  French, 
Dutch,  Portuguese,  German,  Spanish,  and  other  nationalities. 
Their  intrinsic  value  was  diminished  by  clipping,  "plugging," 
and  "sweating,"  and  the  consequence  was  that  they  passed 
at  low  rates.  The  Chamber  took  up  the  question  of  a  fixed 
rate  for  them  in  its  second  year  and  adopted  a  schedule  which 
was  advertised  in  the  newspapers  with  the  announcement  that 
its  members  would  pay  and  receive  all  gold  and  silver  coins 
at  those  rates  only.  The  immediate  result  seems  to  have  been 
an  increase  in  plugging,  etc.,  for  at  a  subsequent  meeting  the 
following  was  adopted:  "Finding  the  scandalous  practice  of 
filing  and  diminishing  foreign  Gold  coin  too  much  counte- 
nanced, to  encourage  which  was  by  no  means  the  intention  of 
this  Chamber,  in  order  to  prevent  such  base  practices  here, 
we  declare  that  we  will  discourage  it  by  all  means  in  our 
power,  and  hold  any  person  guilty  of  it  in  contempt,  and  not 
proper  to  be  a  member  of  this  Chamber." 

While  the  efforts  of  the  Chamber  to  improve  the  char- 
acter of  the  currency  and  maintain  a  stable  value  for  it  were 
not  immediately  successful,  and  at  times  operated  in  a  man- 
ner contrary  to  the  intentions  of  their  authors,  the  ultimate 
results  were  beneficial  and  the  Chamber's  advocacy  of  them 
placed  it  firmly  on  the  side  of  sound  financial  methods,  a 
position  from  which  it  has  never  varied. 

In  addition  to  endeavoring  to  increase  the  trade  and 
commerce  of  the  city  through  the  adoption  of  better  and 
sounder  business  methods,  the  Chamber  exerted  itself  to  bene- 
fit the  people  of  the  city  by  securing  for  them  lower  prices  and 
better  quality  in  the  necessities  of  life.  At  the  request  of  the 
Chamber  the  Assembly  of  New  York  appropriated  the  sum  of 
two  hundred  dollars  a  year  for  five  years,  to  be  paid  to  the 
Treasurer  of  the  Chamber,  "for  the  encouragement  of  fishery 


24  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

on  this  coast  and  the  better  supplying  the  Markets  of  the  city 
with  Fish."  The  Chamber  accepted  the  trust  and  advertised 
eight  prizes  for  the  owners  and  crews  of  fishing- vessels  who  sup- 
plied the  market  with  the  largest  quantities  of  specified  varie- 
ties of  fish,  the  highest  prize  being  forty  pounds  and  the  lowest 
five  pounds.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  adjudge  the 
prizes  and  they  were  duly  awarded  and  the  names  of  the 
winners  were  recorded  in  the  minutes.  The  effect  upon  the 
fish-supply  appears  to  have  been  encouraging,  but  there  is 
no  mention  of  its  effect  upon  prices. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  what  is  thought  to  have  been 
the  first  suggestion  of  fire  insurance  in  New  York  was  made 
in  the  following  motion  in  the  Chamber  on  April  3,  1770: 
"Mr.  Thurman  moves  that,  as  it  is  the  desire  of  a  number  of 
the  Inhabitants  of  this  City  to  have  their  Estates  Insured 
from  Loss  by  Fire,  and  that  Losses  of  this  sort  may  not  fall 
upon  Individuals,  Proposed  that  the  Chamber  take  into  con- 
sideration some  plan  that  may  serve  so  good  a  purpose  under 
the  direction  of  this  Corporation." 

The  motion  was  brought  up  for  consideration  twice  sub- 
sequently, but  no  action  was  taken  upon  it.  Seventeen  years 
later,  in  July,  1787,  the  first  fire-insiwance  company  in  New 
York  was  organized  by  John  Pintard,  but  he  was  not  at  that 
time  a  member  of  the  Chamber.  He  became  a  member  a  year 
later,  and  was  its  Secretary  from  1817  to  1827.  There  is 
no  evidence  that  the  Chamber  had  anything  to  do  with  the 
project. 

The  examples,  given  in  preceding  pages,  of  the  Chamber's 
activities  during  its  colonial  period  are  merely  a  few  of  the 
more  notable  instances  of  its  public  service.  To  give  all  in 
detail  would  be  to  enlarge  unduly  the  dimensions  of  the 
present  volume.  A  sufficient  niunber  has  been  mentioned 
to  demonstrate  beyond  dispute  the  intelligent  and  tireless 
devotion  of  the  founders  to  the  fundamental  article  of  their 
profession  of  faith:  "The  Good  of  Their  Country." 


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CHAPTER  VI 
APPROACH  OF  THE  REVOLUTION 

JOHN  ADAMS'S  VIEWS  OF  NEW  YORK  IN   1 774 — ^HIS  ESTIMATES 
OF  MEMBERS  OF  THE  CHAMBER 

1774 

The  approach  of  the  Revolution,  with  its  disturbing  effect 
upon  trade  and  commerce,  and  the  division  of  the  population 
into  patriots  and  loyalists  which  it  caused,  paralyzed  the 
Chamber  for  several  years.  A  graphic,  though  not  especially 
friendly,  picture  of  New  York  at  this  time,  comes  down  to 
us  in  the  Diary  of  John  Adams,  together  with  pen-portraits 
of  several  prominent  members  of  the  Chamber  with  whom  he 
came  in  contact.  He  was  passing  through  New  York  in 
August,  1774,  on  his  way  to  Philadelphia  as  one  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts delegates  to  the  Continental  Congress.  Describing 
his  arrival,  with  characteristic  Adams  acidity,  he  wrote: 
"About  eleven  o'clock,  four  of  the  delegates  for  the  city  and 
county  of  New  York  came  to  make  their  compliments  to  us; 
Mr.  Duane,  Mr.  Livingston,  Mr.  Low  and  Mr.  Alsop.  Mr. 
Livingston  is  a  downright,  straightforward  man.  Mr.  Alsop 
is  a  soft,  sweet  man.  Mr.  Duane  has  a  sly,  surveying  eye,  a 
little  squint-eyed;  between  forty  and  forty-five.  I  should 
guess;  very  sensible,  I  think,  and  very  artful." 

Of  the  four  gentlemen  mentioned,  three,  Philip  Livingston, 
Isaac  Low,  and  John  Alsop  were  founders  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce.  James  Duane  was  never  a  member.  Later,  Mr. 
Adams  changed  his  estimate  of  Livingston,  for  this  subsequent 
entry  appears  in  the  Diary:  "Phil.  Livingston  is  a  great, 
rough,  rapid  mortal.  There  is  no  holding  conversation  with 
him."    A  few  days  after  the  first  entry  appears  this  estimate 

as 


26  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

of  Isaac  Low:  "Mr.  Low,  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  of 
Fifty-one,  they  say,  will  profess  attachment  to  the  cause  of 
liberty,  but  his  sincerity  is  doubted."  Subsequent  events 
proved  the  accuracy  of  this  prediction,  as  will  appear  later  in 
this  narrative. 

Mr.  Adams  was  much  impressed  with  the  elegance  of  the  hos- 
pitality of  the  period,  as  it  was  displayed  to  him.  Of  a  break- 
fast given  to  him  at  a  home  he  wrote:  "A  more  elegant  break- 
fast I  never  saw — rich  plate,  a  very  large  silver  cojEfee-pot,  a 
very  large  silver  tea-pot,  napkins  of  the  very  finest  material, 
toast,  and  bread  and  butter,  in  great  perfection.  After 
breakfast  a  plate  of  beautiful  peaches,  another  of  pears,  and 
another  of  plums,  and  a  muskmelon,  were  placed  on  the 
table." 

A  banquet  seems  to  have  been  given  to  him  in  the  room  of 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  for  he  records:  "We  afterwards 
dined  in  the  Exchange  Chamber,  at  the  invitation  of  the 
Committee  of  Correspondence,  with  more  than  fifty  gentle- 
men, at  the  most  splendid  dinner  I  ever  saw;  a  profusion  of 
rich  dishes,  &c.,  &c." 

The  city  itself  came  in  for  a  word  of  praise.  "The  streets 
of  this  town  are  vastly  more  regular  and  elegant  than  those 
of  Boston,  and  the  houses  are  more  grand,  as  well  as  neat. 
They  are  almost  all  painted,  brick  buildings  and  all." 

But,  as  a  whole,  Mr.  Adams  does  not  seem  to  have  had  a 
pleasant  visit,  for  on  leaving  he  made  this  entry:  "With  all 
the  opulence  and  splendor  of  this  city  there  is  very  little  good 
breeding  to  be  found.  We  have  been  treated  with  an  assidu- 
ous respect;  but  I  have  not  seen  one  real  gentleman,  one  well- 
bred  man,  since  I  came  to  town.  At  their  entertainments 
there  is  no  conversation  that  is  agreeable;  there  is  no  modesty, 
no  attention  to  one  another.  They  talk  very  loud,  very  fast, 
and  altogether.  If  they  ask  you  a  question,  before  you  can 
utter  three  words  of  your  answer,  they  will  break  out  upon  you 
again  and  talk  away." 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  27 

Concerning  the  style  of  living  in  New  York  at  this  period 
it  may  not  be  inappropriate  to  quote  this  observation  by  a 
late  historian:  "The  chief  business  of  the  good  citizens  of 
New  York  was  eating  and  drinking.  This,  and  their  hospi- 
tality they  derived,  the  one  from  their  English,  and  the  other 
from  their  Dutch,  progenitors  and  predecessors." 

Commenting  upon  the  remarks  of  Mr.  Adams,  the  same  his- 
torian, John  Austin  Stevens,  Jr.,  says:  "Adams  probably 
knew  very  little  about  good  dinners,  which,  on  account  of 
the  meagre  supply  of  the  Boston  market  until  quite  recently, 
could  with  difficulty  be  served  at  any  cost;  but  then  a  word 
of  praise  from  him  was  quite  as  rare  as  a  good  New  England 
dinner." 


CHAPTER  VII 
ADVENT  OF  THE  REVOLUTION 

THE   CHAMBER  SPLIT  IN   TWAIN — ITS   PROCEEDINGS   AS   A 
LOYALIST  BODY 

1775-1783 

When  the  break  with  England  came,  in  the  spring  of  1775, 
the  Chamber,  like  the  city  itself,  was  divided  into  nearly 
equal  parts,  one  siding  with  the  mother  country,  and  the 
other  with  the  Revolution.  The  wealthy  class,  aristocratic  in 
sentiment  and  bound  by  family  ties  and  long  and  intimate 
social  intercourse  with  the  British  authorities  in  the  country, 
were  imable  to  break  away  when  the  final  test  came.  When 
the  British  took  possession  of  the  city,  these  remained  and 
continued  to  give  loyal  support  to  the  authorities  during  the 
entire  period  of  occupation.  Among  them  was  Isaac  Low. 
Notable  in  the  great  throng  of  patriots  who  left  the  city  when 
the  British  entered  it  were  John  Cruger,  first  President  of  the 
Chamber,  and  Isaac  Roosevelt,  one  of  its  founders.  They 
remained  out  of  the  city  during  the  seven  years  of  British 
occupancy.  Isaac  Low  had  been  a  delegate  from  New  York 
to  the  Continental  Congress.  He  had  valiantly  opposed  the 
Stamp  Act  and  other  British  taxation  measures,  but  he  had 
never  been  in  favor  of  a  separation  from  England,  exerting 
himself  till  the  last  in  favor  of  a  compromise  peace  at  any 
price.  He  justified  the  estimate  of  him  quoted  from  John 
Adams's  Diary  in  the  foregoing  chapter. 

The  meetings  of  the  Chamber  had  been  poorly  attended  for 
a  year  before  the  Revolution  began,  and  the  last  session  was 
held  on  May  2, 1775,  thirteen  days  after  the  battle  of  Lexing- 
ton.   No  effort  was  made  to  call  another  meeting  till  1 779.    In 

28 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  29 

May  of  that  year,  Isaac  Low,  who  had  been  elected  President 
at  the  last  meeting  in  May,  1775,  and  who  was  now  a  zealous 
loyalist,  "at  the  request  of  many  members "  issued  a  call 
for  a  meeting.  The  response  showed  that  the  war  had  di- 
vided the  membership  quite  evenly,  for  fully  half  of  the 
former  members  failed  to  appear,  having  departed  from  the 
city. 

The  place  of  meeting  was  not  in  the  room  over  the  Royal 
Exchange,  but  in  the  "Upper  long  room  of  the  Coffy  House," 
in  which  its  sessions  were  held  till  1804.  The  minutes  of 
the  Chamber  show  that  at  first  a  rent  of  fifty  poimds  per 
annimi  was  paid  for  use  of  the  Long  Room,  and  later  eighty 
pounds  with  a  room  for  committees  added,  and  firewood 
and  candles  furnished.  An  account  of  the  Merchants* 
Coffee  House,  one  of  the  most  famous  of  the  historic 
buildings  of  the  city,  will  be  given  in  later  pages  of  this 
Chronicle. 

The  very  first  action  of  the  body  revealed  its  intense  loyalist 
character.  A  letter  addressed  to  the  British  Commandant, 
Major-General  Daniel  Jones,  and  signed  by  Isaac  Low  as 
President,  and  twenty-two  others  present,  opened  with  a 
passage  in  which  the  Revolution  was  spoken  of  as  the  "present 
imnatural  rebellion,"  and  closed  with  the  following  declara- 
tion: "As  Commandant  of  the  City,  we  esteemed  it  our  duty 
to  lay  before  you  the  intent  of  our  proposed  meetings  and  at 
the  same  time  we  beg  leave  to  assure  you  that  our  assistance, 
when  called  upon,  will  at  all  times  be  ready  to  facilitate  the 
public  good." 

To  this  address  General  Jones  made  a  gracious  response, 
saying  he  was  happy  to  hear  of  the  Institution  and  only  re- 
gretted that  he  had  not  had  the  benefit  of  its  assistance  sooner 
to  procure  to  New  York  every  advantage  the  situation  would 
admit  of  which  he  always  had  much  at  heart. 

The  Chamber,  thus  reconvened,  devoted  its  energies  in  be- 
half of  the  public  welfare  with  the  same  zeal  that  it  had  man- 


30  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

ifested  in  the  earlier  days  of  its  career.  A  committee  was 
appointed  to  consider  means  for  the  better  cleaning  of  the  city, 
and  reported  that  that  reform  could  be  accomplished  if  the 
existing  city  ordinances  would  be  enforced  as  thoroughly  as 
they  had  been  before  British  occupation.  The  conmiittee 
advocated  the  employment  of  scavengers  to  remove  dirt  and 
rubbish  from  the  streets  and  said  this  had  been  objected  to 
by  a  "Person  in  Power"  on  the  ground  that  "it  would  inter- 
fere with  the  common  right  of  Mankind,  because  every  Per- 
son who  pleased  had  a  right  to  take  dirt  out  of  the  streets." 
As  everybody  in  the  city  at  the  time  was  exercising  the  right 
to  throw  dirt  into  the  streets,  the  committee  felt  moved  to 
say  of  the  objection  of  the  mysterious  "Person  in  Power" 
that  it  was  "An  Hypothesis  in  our  Idea  founded  neither  in 
Reason  or  Fact."  What  the  ultimate  result  was  does  not 
appear  from  the  records,  but  the  reasoning  of  the  committee 
was  indisputably  sound. 

The  same  committee,  having  been  requested  to  consider 
the  question  of  regulating  the  price  of  butchers'  meat,  reported 
that  "Experience  Justifies  our  apprehensions  that  the  remedy 
may  prove  worse  than  the  Disease";  but  they  recommended 
(a  century  or  more  before  the  invention  of  cold  storage)  that 
"no  fresh  Provisions  (Fish  excepted)  Vegetables  or  Poultry, 
should  be  suffered  to  be  put  into  Stores  or  Cellars,  on  Penalty 
of  being  forfeited  for  use  of  the  Alms  House." 

The  Chamber  resumed  the  practice  of  having  a  committee 
to  settle  disputes  and  continued  the  former  system  of  fines 
for  dilatory  and  absent  members.  Later  a  new  variety  of 
fine  was  devised,  apparently  because  of  a  tendency  to  shirk 
on  the  part  of  the  members  appointed  on  the  committee  to  set- 
tle disputes,  for  it  was  ordered  that  each  member  failing  to 
attend  the  sessions  of  the  Monthly  Committee  each  night  that 
there  was  business  should  pay  a  fine  of  five  shillings,  but  no 
member  should  pay  more  than  eight  dollars  of  such  fines  in  one 
month.    The  members  present  should  be  Judges  of  the  ex- 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  31 

cuse  offered  for  absence  and  the  fines  should  be  used  to  defray 
the  expenses  of  the  committee. 

A  special  meeting  was  held  to  consider  the  injuries  of  Mr. 
William  Tongue,  who  had  been  deprived  of  his  license  as  an 
auctioneer— not  for  inability  to  talk  but  for  failure  of  duty 
in  other  directions.  It  being  reported  that  he  had  complied 
with  what  was  required  of  him,  his  license  was  restored. 
Declaring  that  the  various  artifices  practised  by  bakers  to 
take  undue  advantage  of  the  community  were  ''notorious 
and  palpable,"  the  Chamber  adopted  and  sent  to  the  Police 
regulations  that: 

Bread  of  the  finest  and  best  flour  should  be  baked  into  long 
loaves  of  two  Pounds  weight,  for  Fourteen  Coppers. 

All  other  Flour  of  inferior  quality  or  that  is  in  the  least  degree 
Musty  or  Sour  should  (by  way  of  distinction)  be  baked  up  into 
round  loaves  of  two  and  a  half  pounds  weight,  and  sold  at  the  same 
price  of  the  Long  Loaves. 

Any  Baker  presmning  to  bake  other  than  the  best  Flour  into 
Long  instead  of  Round  Loaves,  or  of  less  weight  than  is  men- 
tioned, should  forfeit  all  the  Bread  so  manufactured  for  the  use 
of  the  Alms  House. 

All  bakers  were  to  be  watched  and  kept  to  their  duty  under 
penalty  of  fine.  And  this  was  more  than  a  century  and  a 
quarter  before  the  advent  of  Mr.  Hoover  and  the  efforts  made 
by  the  government  to  regulate  the  price  and  quality  of  bread 
during  the  European  War !  Regulations  were  adopted  for  the 
sale  of  butter,  tallow,  soap,  candles,  beef,  pork,  and  other 
commodities. 

Both  the  patriots  and  the  loyalists  engaged  extensively  in 
privateering  during  the  period  of  British  occupation,  and  as 
the  American  privateers  were  far  more  active  and  successful 
than  their  opponents,  the  city  was  often  reduced  to  much 
distress  for  lack  of  the  necessities  of  life.  The  Chamber  as  a 
devoted  loyalist  body  was  bitterly  opposed  to  the  American 
privateers.    It  spoke  of  them  as  " Rebel  Privateers,"  and  when 


32  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

the  captain  of  a  British  packet-ship  pursued  by  them  ran  his 
ship  aground  on  Sandy  Hook  and  brought  the  mails  he  had 
on  board  to  the  city  in  a  rowboat,  the  Chamber  gave  him  a 
formal  vote  of  thanks  and  presented  him  with  a  piece  of  plate, 
"value  about  20  Guineas,"  with  the  seal  of  the  corporation 
and  this  inscription  engraved  upon  it:  "Presented  by  the  Cor- 
poration of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  New  York,  to  Charles 
Newman,  Commander  of  His  Majesty's  late  Packet  the  Car- 
taret,  for  his  great  attention  and  Prudence,  in  saving  and  bring- 
ing, at  all  hazards,  his  MaU  to  New  York."  It  is  worthy  of 
note  that  the  presentation  was  made  on  July  4,  1780. 

The  Chamber  repeatedly  urged  the  British  authorities  to 
take  strong  measures  to  restrict  the  operations  of  the  American 
privateers,  including  the  stationing  of  two  fast  sailing  frigates 
off  Sandy  Hook.  The  admiral  of  the  British  naval  forces 
replied  that  he  had  no  frigates  for  the  purpose.  A  few 
months  later,  when  the  admiral  of  the  British  naval  forces, 
replying  to  the  Chamber's  request  for  a  larger  niunber  of 
British  privateers,  said  that  there  were  already  one  thousand 
men  in  that  service  and  that  no  more  could  be  spared  because 
there  were  two  war-frigates  in  port  which  could  not  put  to 
sea  for  lack  of  men,  the  Chamber  made  a  formal  protest, 
through  its  President,  Isaac  Low,  which  deserves  to  rank  as 
the  most  remarkable  of  the  series  issued  by  the  Chamber 
during  its  career  as  a  loyalist  body.  The  document  is  too 
long  to  quote  in  full,  but  a  few  of  its  more  striking  passages 
may  be  reproduced  as  evidence  of  the  change  in  sentiment 
toward  the  British  authorities  which  had  developed  among 
the  members: 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce  are  exceeding  sorry  to  find  His 
Excellency  and  Admiral  intimates  that  encouraging  privateers  is 
incompatible  with  and  prejudicial  to  the  King's  Service. 

Past  uniform  experience  abimdantly  justifies  us  in  observing 
to  Your  Excellency  that  however  difficult  it  may  be  to  carry  on 
the  King's  Service,  unless  Privateers  are  kept  within  bounds,  it 


FRAUNCES'S  TAVERN,   1768. 

Erected  in  1719  and  still  standing  at  Broad  and  Pearl  Streets.     The  Chamber  of  Commerce  was  founded 
in  this  building  in  1768  in  the  Long  Room,  which  extends  along  the  second  floor  on  the  side  of  the  building. 

Reproduced  by  courtesy  of  Sons  of  the  ReTolutCon. 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  2>2> 

will  be  found  much  more  so  if  these  bounds  be  reduced  to  too  nar- 
row a  compass. 

Due  encouragement  to  Privateers  is  in  other  words  only  to 
tempt  both  Landsmen  as  well  as  Seamen  by  the  most  powerful 
inducements,  that  of  making  it  their  Interest,  to  resort  from  all 
parts  of  the  Continent  to  this  port.  Nor  has  any  Maxim  obtained 
more  universal  assent  than  that  all  wise  Governments  should  assidu- 
ously consult  and  attend  to  the  Temper  and  Genius  of  the  people, 
and  it  is  notorious  that  the  Genius  of  no  people  was  ever  more 
pecuMar  or  conspicuous  than  that  of  the  Americans  for  Privateer- 
ing. If,  therefore,  that  Genius  be  counteracted  it  must  necessarily 
produce  the  evUs  inseparable  from  such  conduct  in  all  other  Cases. 

No  answer  appears  to  have  been  received  to  this  protest, 
for  a  month  later  it  was  ordered  by  the  Chamber 

That  the  President  do  write  to  General  Robertson,  requesting 
to  know  whether  the  Letter  written  to  him  on  the  subject  of 
Privateering  had  been  laid  before  the  Admiral,  and  whether  any 
or  what  Answer  had  been  given  thereto;  and  also  that  he  write  to 
the  Admiral,  representing  that  the  Trade  and  Fishery  was  unpro- 
tected, and  requesting  that  some  means  may  be  pm^ued  so  as  to 
encourage  the  Fishermen  to  take  Fish  for  a  supply  to  this  Gar- 
rison, and  that  its  Commerce  may  not  be  annoyed  by  the  Privateers 
and  Whaleboats  that  infest  even  the  Narrows. 

This  was  in  June,  1782,  and  only  a  few  meetings  of  the 
Chamber  were  held  after  that  date  till  its  final  session  in 
May,  1783.  The  British  evacuated  the  city  in  November  of 
that  year. 


CHAPTER  VIII 
BRITISH  EVACUATION  OF  NEW  YORK 

RETURN   OF   WASHINGTON   AND   PATRIOT   EXILES — BANQUET 
CUSTOMS   OF  THE  FATHERS     • 

1783 

With  the  triumphant  American  army,  General  Washington 
at  its  head,  that  took  possession  of  the  city  on  the  afternoon 
of  November  25,  1783,  there  came  a  great  throng  of  patriot 
exiles  who  had  been  living  in  neighboring  colonies  during  the 
British  occupation.  Among  them  were  a  nmnber  of  men  who 
had  been  members  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  during  the 
colonial  period,  including  John  Alsop,  one  of  the  founders, 
and  Isaac  Roosevelt,  one  of  the  founders  who  was  not  at  the 
first  meeting  but  had  given  his  approval  to  the  project. 
Isaac  Low  and  many  of  his  fellow  members  who  had  sup- 
ported the  British  authorities  left  the  city  and  country,  never 
to  return. 

It  was  a  joyous  populace  which  greeted  the  conquering 
general  and  his  army,  but  its  high  spirits  do  not  seem  to  have 
infected  the  office  of  the  Independent  New  York  GazettCy 
for  in  its  issue  of  the  Saturday  following  there  appeared  this 
terse  and  passionless  record  of  the  events  of  one  of  the  most 
memorable  of  days  in  all  history:  "Last  Tuesday  morning 
the  American  troops  marched  from  Harlem  to  the  Bowery 
Lane.  They  remained  there  till  about  one  o'clock  when  the 
British  troops  left  the  posts  at  the  Bowery,  and  the  American 
troops  marched  in  and  took  possession  of  the  city." 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce  was  in  too  chaotic  a  condition 
to  participate  as  a  body  in  the  popular  rejoicing  which  marked 
the  great  deliverance,  but  there  is  abundant  evidence  that 

34 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  35 

Isaac  Roosevelt  and  other  former  members  took  prominent 
part  in  the  hilarious  celebration  which  began  on  the  25  th 
and  continued  for  several  days.  Washington  was  in  the  city 
till  December  4,  and  during  his  stay  was  subjected  to  an  al- 
most imbroken  series  of  banquets  from  which  none  of  the  par- 
ticipants, if  we  may  judge  by  the  itemized  bills  for  the  enter- 
tainments which  have  come  down  to  us,  could  have  emerged 
either  hungry  or  thirsty.  The  first  of  the  series  was  given  to 
Washington  and  his  officers  at  Fraunces's  Tavern,  where 
Washington  established  his  headquarters,  by  Governor  Clin- 
ton on  the  evening  of  November  25.  There  was  a  large 
attendance  at  this  feast  and  thirteen  formal  toasts  were 
drunk.  That  there  was  no  lack  of  liquor  in  which  to  drink 
them  is  made  evident  by  the  bill  which  Samuel  Fraunces  pre- 
sented and  which  the  State  paid  later: 

November  25,  1783. 

His  Excellency,  Governor  Clinton  to  Saml.  Fraunces,  Dr. 

To  an  Entertainment 30/4/0 

To  75  Bottles  of  Madeira  at  8/ 30/ 

To  18  Ditto  of  Claret  at  10/ 9/ 

To  16  Ditto  of  Port  at  6/ 4/16/ 

To  24  Ditto  of  Porter  at  3/ 3/12/ 

To  24  Ditto  of  Spruce  at  1/ 1/4/ 

To  Lights  60/    Tea  and  Coffee  64/ 6/4/ 

To  Brokeg 2/2/ 

To  Punch 10/10/ 

97/12/ 

The  above  Bill  is  for  an  Entertainment  of  taking  possession  of  the 
City  when  the  British  evacuated  the  Southern  District.  Rec'd 
the  Contents  in  full  2d  Feby.  1784. 

Saml.  Fraunces. 

The  second  banquet  was  given  at  Cape's  Tavern  on  Novem- 
ber 28,  and  that  Isaac  Roosevelt  and  his  fellow  exiles  were 
the  hosts  on  this  occasion  is  shown  by  Washington's  itinerary, 


36  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

in  which  it  is  recorded  that  on  that  date  "the  citizens  who 
have  lately  returned  from  exile  gave  an  elegant  entertain- 
ment to  his  Excellency  the  Governor  and  the  Coimcil  for 
governing  the  city;  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  and 
the  officers  of  the  Army;  about  three  himdred  gentlemen 
graced  the  feast."  No  itemized  bill  for  this  entertainment 
has  been  preserved,  as  it  was  not  paid  by  the  State,  but  by 
private  individuals. 

Cape's  Tavern  was  a  famous  hostelry  in  its  day.  It  stood 
on  Broadway,  just  north  of  Trinity  Church.  It  had  been 
built  by  Etienne  De  Lancey  as  a  residence  in  1730.  In  1754  it 
was  converted  into  a  tavern  under  the  name  of  the  Province 
Arms.  During  the  Revolution  it  was  the  favorite  resort  of 
the  British  army  and  navy  officers.  Shortly  before  evacua- 
tion it  passed  into  the  control  of  a  patriotic  hotel-keeper 
named  John  Cape,  who  removed  its  old-time  royalist  sign 
and  renamed  it  after  himself.  It  was  the  scene  of  the  third 
banquet  to  Washington,  on  December  2.  This  also  was  given 
by  Governor  Clinton,  at  the  expense  of  the  State,  and  was 
also  in  honor  of  the  French  ambassador  to  the  United  States, 
the  Chevalier  de  la  Luzerne,  who  had  just  arrived  in  the  city 
from  Philadelphia.  It  is  recorded  in  the  Gazette  as  "an  ele- 
gant entertainment  at  which  were  present  his  Excellency 
General  Washington,  the  principal  officers  of  this  state  and 
of  the  army  and  upwards  of  an  hundred  private  gentlemen." 
That  Isaac  Roosevelt  was  connected  with  this  banquet  is 
shown  by  Cape's  bill,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  auditors. 
Theodore  Roosevelt,  who  is  a  descendant  of  the  brother  of 
Isaac  Roosevelt,  reproduces  this  bill  in  his  "Autobiography," 
saying  that  it  came  down  to  him  among  other  Rooseveltdocu- 
ments  and  that  it  illustrates  the  change  that  has  come  over 
certain  aspects  of  public  life  since  the  time  which  pessimists 
term  "the  earlier  and  better  days  of  the  Republic."  The  bill 
is  reproduced  here,  with  the  one  on  a  previous  page,  both  as 
historic  documents  of  large  illuminating  power: 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  37 

The  State  of  New  York,  to  John  Cape  Dr. 

To  a  Dinner  Given  by  His  Excellency  the  Governor 
and  Council  to  their  Excellencies  the  Minister  of  France 
and  General  Washington  &  Co. 

1783 

December 

To  120  dinners  at 48/  0/0 

To  135  Bottles  Madira 54/  0/0 

"    36  ditto  Port 10/16/0 

"    60  ditto  English  Beer 9/  0/0 

"    30  Bouls  Punch 9/  0/0 

"      8  dinners  for  Musick 1/12/0 

"     10  ditto  for  Sarvts 2/  0/0 

"    60  Wine  Glasses  Broken 4/10/0 

"      8  Cutt  decanters  Broken 3/  0/0 

"      Coffee  for  8  Gentlemen 1/12/0 

"      Music  fees  &ca 8/  0/0 

"      Fruit  &  Nuts S/ 0/0 

£156/10/0 
By  Cash 100/16/0 

55/14/0 

We  a  Committee  of  Council  having  examined  the  above 
account  do  certify  it  (amounting  to  one  hundred  and 
fifty-six  Poimds  ten  shillings)  to  be  just 
December  17th  1783. 

Isaac  Roosevelt 
Jas.  Duane 
Egbt.  Benson 
Fred.  Jay 
Received  the  above  Contents  in  full 
New  York  17th  December  1783 

John  Cape 

"Think  of  the  Governor  of  New  York,"  writes  Colonel 
Roosevelt,  "now  submitting  such  a  bill  for  such  an  enter- 
tainment of  the  French  Ambassador  and  the  President  of 
the  United  States!  Falstaff's  views  of  the  proper  propor- 
tion between  sack  and  bread  are  borne  out  by  the  proportion 


38  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

between  the  number  of  bowls  of  punch  and  bottles  of  port> 
Madeira,  and  beer  consumed,  and  the  'coffee  for  eight  gentle- 
men'— apparently  the  only  ones  who  lasted  through  to  that 
stage  of  the  dinner.  Especially  admirable  is  the  nonchalant 
manner  in  which,  obviously  as  a  result  of  the  drinking  of  said 
bottles  of  wine  and  bowls  of  punch,  it  is  recorded  that  eight 
cut-glass  decanters  and  sixty  wine-glasses  were  broken." 


CHAPTER  IX 
REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CHAMBER 

CHARTER  REVIVED  BY  THE  STATE — ^APPROVAL  OF  ERIE  CANAL — 
MEMORIAL  AGAINST  FIAT  MONEY 

1784-1793 

With  the  withdrawal  of  the  British  and  the  return  of  the 
Americans,  the  Chamber  imderwent  another  transformation. 
Most  of  the  members  who  had  conducted  it  as  a  Royalist 
body  left  the  city  with  the  British  army,  never  to  return. 
The  members  who  had  absented  themselves  during  the  British 
occupation  turned  their  attention  almost  immediately  to  the 
reorganization  of  the  Chamber  as  a  patriotic  American  body. 
They  decided  that  its  character  could  not  be  completely 
restored  without  an  official  reaffirmation  of  the  charter,  and 
they  took  steps  to  bring  that  about. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1784  a  petition  was  sent  to  the  Legis- 
lature of  the  State  of  New  York,  signed  by  forty  merchants, 
asking  for  a  confirmation  of  the  charter  for  the  Chamber  on 
the  ground  that  the  existing  charter  "had  been  forfeited  and 
lost  by  reason  of  misuse  and  nonuse."  The  reasons  for  this 
action  were  set  forth  in  the  minutes  in  a  statement  which, 
both  in  patriotic  and  historic  interest,  is  worthy  of  reproduc- 
tion in  full: 

New  York,  April  20,  1784. 
The  Arbitrary  and  Tyrannical  conduct  of  Great  Britain  toward 
the  late  Colonies  (now  States  of  America),  having  been  such  as  to 
Compel  the  People  of  these  States  to  Have  recourse  to  Arms  for 
the  Defence  of  their  Liberty  and  Property,  and  the  Invasion  of 
the  State  of  New  York  having  driven  the  Inhabitants  of  the  City 
to  the  cruel  Necessity  of  leaving  their  Houses  and  Property  and 
to  retire  into  the  Country,  the  Exercise  of  the  Rights  and  Privileges 
of  the  Chamber  were,  in  Consequence  of  the  War,  suspended  from 

39 


40  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

the  Third  of  May  One  thousand  Seven  hundred  and  Seventy-five 
to  the  Sixth  of  July  One  thousand  Seven  hundred  and  Seventy- 
nine,  When  a  number  of  the  Members  Assumed  the  Exercises  of 
the  Powers  contained  in  their  Charter,  under  the  Patronage  of  the 
British  Commanders — and  the  Influence  of  the  Chamber  having 
been  Manifestly  directed  to  Aid  the  British  in  Subjugating  these 
States — ^A  number  of  the  Members  and  other  Citizens,  on  their 
return  to  this  City,  taking  into  Consideration  the  State  of  the 
Chamber  and  being  advised  by  Council  that  the  Charter  of  the 
said  Chamber  had  been  forfeited  and  lost  by  reason  of  the  Misuser 
and  Nonuser  of  the  same,  They  thought  it  most  advisable  to  peti- 
tion the  Legislature  for  a  Confirmation  of  the  said  Charter. 

In  response  to  this  petition,  the  New  York  Legislature  had, 
on  April  13,  1784,  passed  a  law  entitled  "An  act  to  remove 
doubts  concerning  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  to  confirm 
the  rights  and  privileges  thereof."  The  name  was  changed  to 
"Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New  York,"  and  all 
the  powers,  rights,  privileges,  franchises,  and  immimities 
granted  under  the  royal  charter  were  ratified  and  confirmed, 
and  the  new  organization  was  formally  continued  as  the  suc- 
cessor of  the  old. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Chamber  under  the  revived  charter 
was  held  on  April  20,  1784,  at  which  John  Alsop  was  elected 
President,  Isaac  Sears,  Vice-President,  John  Broome,  Treas- 
urer, and  John  Blagge,  Secretary. 

From  this  time  the  Chamber  resumed  its  regular  meetings, 
displaying  the  same  spirit  of  devotion  to  the  public  interests 
that  had  marked  its  colonial  period.  At  the  meeting  in  May 
the  former  by-laws  were  adopted,  and  a  schedule  of  rates 
fixing  the  value  at  which  coins  in  circulation  should  be  received 
and  paid  out  was  agreed  upon. 

Both  the  national  government  and  the  State  of  New  York 
stood  in  great  need  of  revenue  to  meet  expenditures,  and  to 
assist  in  securing  it  the  New  York  Legislature  passed  a  law 
taxing  importations.  The  revenue  sought  by  this  law  was 
materially  reduced  by  smuggling,  which  reached  large  pro- 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  41 

portions.  The  Chamber  in  October,  1784,  gave  its  cordial 
support  to  the  efforts  of  the  State  authorities  to  prevent  this 
by  adopting  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  members  of  this  Corporation  do  solemnly 
engage  and  promise  reciprocally  to  each  other,  that  they  will, 
by  every  means  in  their  Power,  be  aiding  and  assisting  to  prevent 
the  scandalous  Practice  of  Smuggling,  and  will  give  information 
of  every  violation  of  the  Law  which  may  come  to  their  knowledge, 
so  that  the  offender  may  be  pubUcly  known  and  punished;  and 
they  do  most  earnestly  request  and  reconmniend  to  their  fellow 
Citizens  that  they  unite  with  them  in  this  so  necessary  and  lauda- 
ble Engagement. 

This  attitude  toward  smuggling,  taken  in  the  early  days  of 
the  republic,  has  been  maintained  without  wavering  by  the 
Chamber  to  the  present  day. 

The  Revolution  had  left  the  colonies  struggling  with  the 
evils  of  a  depreciated  currency,  and  with  their  commerce 
hampered  by  restrictions  put  upon  it  by  Great  Britain. 
The  Chamber  in  February,  1785,  requested  the  State  govern- 
ment to  plead  with  Congress  for  the  relief  of  its  commerce 
from  the  "depredations  made  on  the  navigation  of  the  United 
States  by  the  Algerines,  and  the  restrictions  laid  on  our 
trade  by  the  British  and  other  nations."  In  March  it  ad- 
dressed Congress  directly,  expressing  regret  that  the  "pres- 
ent condition  of  the  city,  which  through  the  whole  course 
of  the  late  war,  has  been  devoted  to  the  Rage  of  British 
Power,"  deprived  its  citizens  of  the  means  of  gratifying  their 
cordial  wishes  to  make  the  residence  of  the  members  among 
them  convenient  and  agreeable,  and  declaring  their  conviction 
that  Congress  would  take  measures  for  the  advancement  of 
Commerce  "because,  imtil  our  National  Flag  be  rendered 
respectable,  and  our  public  credit  established,  the  inhabitants 
of  the  United  States  can  but  partially  enjoy  the  Great  Bless- 
ings of  Liberty  and  Peace  for  which  they  have  so  successfully 
Contended." 


42  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

A  special  meeting  of  the  Chamber  was  called  in  May,  1785, 
to  consider  a  circular,  signed  by  John  Hancock  and  other 
merchants  of  Boston,  calling  for  united  action  of  the  States 
in  favor  of  securing  a  commercial  treaty  with  Great  Britain, 
and  vesting  in  Congress  "full  power  to  regulate  the  internal 
as  well  as  external  commerce  of  all  the  States."  The  Cham- 
ber, deeming  this  subject  too  large  for  discussion  and  action 
by  itself  alone,  resolved  to  call  a  public  meeting  of  citizens  at 
the  City  HaU  for  its  consideration. 

The  proceedings  of  the  Chamber  at  its  meeting  on  January 
3, 1786,  are  notable  as  containing  a  record  of  the  first  sugges- 
tion of  the  Erie  Canal.  A  memorial  to  the  Chamber  was 
presented  asking  its  aid  for  a  project  to  open  "an  intercourse 
with  the  interior  parts  of  the  United  States,  by  an  artificial 
inland  navigation,  along  the  Mohawk  River  and  Wood  Creek 
to  the  great  lakes."  The  Chamber  replied,  saying  its  mem- 
bers entertained  the  "highest  ideas  of  the  Utility  of  the  scheme, 
wishing  it  may  meet  with  every  possible  success,  but  in  their 
incorporated  capacity,  owing  to  the  lowness  of  their  funds, 
'tis  out  of  their  power  to  lend  him  [the  memorialist]  any  aid." 

At  a  special  meeting,  on  February  28,  1786,  the  Chamber 
took  again  firm  stand  in  favor  of  sound  money,  thereby 
affirming  emphatically  its  policy  for  all  time,  fixing  a  stand- 
ard from  which  its  successors  have  never  departed.  A  bill 
was  before  the  State  Legislature  providing  for  issuing  paper 
money  and  making  it  a  legal  tender.  The  Chamber  adopted 
a  memorial  in  which  it  denounced  the  proposal  in  terms  as 
vigorous  as  they  are  financially  sound,  and  circulated  it 
throughout  the  city  for  signatures,  obtaining  six  himdred. 
Its  main  points  were  the  following: 

Without  attempting  a  discussion  of  the  subject  at  large,  your 
memorialists  respectfully  beg  leave  to  submit  a  few  remarks  which 
to  them  appear  unanswerable. 

First — if  the  paper  emitted  should  stand  on  such  a  basis  as  to 
render  it  in  the  public  estimation  equal  to  gold  and  silver,  the 


s 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  43 

intervention  of  legislative  authority  to  enforce  its  reception  must 
be  unnecessary.  If  it  should  not  stand  on  such  a  basis,  that 
intervention  would  be  unjust  and  indefensible  on  any  principle  of 
morality  or  pubhc  utility. 

It  would  be  by  law  to  enable  the  debtor  to  defraud  his  creditor. 

It  would  be  by  law  to  give  the  property  of  one  set  of  men  to 
another. 

It  would  be  by  law  to  involve  creditors  in  ruin,  in  order  to  save 
debtors  from  distress. 

It  would  be  by  law  to  undermine  all  the  principles  of  private 
credit,  private  faith,  and  private  honesty. 

If  it  were  to  be  admitted  in  its  fullest  extent  that  many  debtors 
will  be  ruined,  what  interest  has  the  state  in  substituting  one  set 
of  ruined  men  to  another  set  of  ruined  men. 

Striking  tribute  to  the  force  of  this  memorial  was  paid  in 
the  refusal  of  the  Legislature  to  print  it  or  to  permit  it  to 
remain  on  its  minutes.  It  was  placed  on  the  minutes  on  the 
day  of  its  reception,  but  when  read  as  a  part  of  them  on  the 
day  following,  it  was  ordered  to  be  obliterated. 

Former  members  of  the  Chamber  who  had  not  joined  since 
the  revived  charter  were  declared  to  be  admitted,  on  February 
13, 1787,  provided  they  would  respectively  attend  the  Cham- 
ber at  a  stated  meeting  and  signify  their  consent  to  become 
members  before  the  first  Tuesday  in  June  following.  This 
act  of  forgetfulness  of  past  differences  afforded  evidence  that 
the  passions  aroused  by  the  war  were  already  cooling. 

In  a  revision  of  the  by-laws  adopted  in  September,  1787,  the 
hour  of  meeting  was  fixed  at  7  p.  m.  from  May  to  October, 
and  6  p.  m.  from  November  to  April.  At  the  same  time  a 
resolution  was  adopted  declaring  that  members  would  pay 
and  receive  gold  and  silver  at  the  rates  established  by  the 
Bank  of  New  York.  Rules  for  the  regulation  of  quality  and 
weight  of  commodities  and  commission  rates  in  domestic  and 
foreign  trade  were  fixed. 

There  was  a  growing  indifference  among  members  at  this 
period  and  a  backwardness  about  paying  dues  which  be- 


44  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

tokened  a  steadily  lessening  interest  in  the  Chamber  and  its 
work.  In  September,  1788,  a  list  of  unpaid  admission  fees 
and  quarterly  dues  was  submitted  which  aggregated  three 
hundred  and  thirty  dollars.  Only  a  part  of  this  appears  to 
have  been  collected,  for  in  August  of  the  following  year,  very 
little  business  having  been  transacted  by  the  Chamber  in  the 
interval,  the  Treasurer  was  directed  to  purchase  in  the  name 
and  for  the  use  of  the  corporation  one  share  of  bank  stock 
"out  of  the  monies  now  in  his  possession  and  as  soon  as  a 
sufficient  Sum  shall  be  collected  (arising  from  the  fines  of 
Quarterages  now  due  to  this  Chamber)  in  addition  to  the 
balances  that  shall  then  remain  in  his  hands." 

The  share  of  bank  stock  mentioned  was  one  in  the  Bank  of 
New  York,  the  first  institution  of  the  kind  in  the  city.  It 
was  organized  by  Alexander  Hamilton,  on  March  15,  1784, 
with  a  capital  stock  of  five  hundred  thousand  dollars,  divided 
into  one  thousand  shares  of  five  hundred  dollars  each.  It  be- 
gan business  in  June  following,  in  the  Walton  House.  Isaac 
Roosevelt  was  chosen  its  President  in  1787.  For  several  years 
the  State  Legislature  refused  its  application  for  a  charter,  but 
granted  one  in  March,  1791. 

It  was  decided  in  April,  1793,  that  all  meetings  in  Novem- 
ber, December,  January,  and  February  be  held  at  6  p.  m., 
and  in  the  other  months  at  7  P.  M.  At  this  time  all  fines  for 
non-attendance  were  abolished. 


CHAPTER  X 
THE  JAY  TREATY 

VALUABLE  SUPPORT  BY  THE  CHAMBER — RESULTS  EFFECTED — 

SESSIONS    INTERRUPTED    BY    YELLOW    FEVER — 

INTERREGNUM  OF  ELEVEN  YEARS 

I 794-1 806 

During  its  career  of  a  century  and  a  half  the  Chamber  has 
demonstrated,  on  every  occasion  which  called  for  a  declaration 
of  its  principles,  that  while  its  members  sought  at  all  times  to 
secure  the  blessings  of  peace,  they  were  immovably  opposed 
to  peace  obtained  at  the  price  of  honor.  One  of  the  most 
notable  and  public-spirited  displays  of  its  attitude  on  this 
subject  ever  made  by  the  Chamber  occurred  in  1794  and  1795. 
The  occasion  for  it  was  President  Washington's  act  in  send- 
ing John  Jay,  who  at  the  time  was  Chief  Justice  of  the  United 
States,  as  envoy  extraordinary  to  Great  Britain  in  the  spring 
of  1794.  Washington's  explanation  of  his  action  was  the 
"serious  aspect"  of  affairs,  brought  about  by  the  attacks 
made  upon  neutral  trade  under  the  orders  in  council  issued 
by  the  British  Government  in  the  long  contest  with  France 
that  had  recently  begun  and  that  ended  twenty-one  years 
later  in  the  battle  of  Waterloo.  Washington  had  imposed 
an  embargo  and  threatened  retaliation.  He  gave  as  a  reason 
for  sending  Jay  his  belief  that  "peace  ought  to  be  pursued 
with  unremitted  zeal  before  the  last  resort,  which  has  so  often 
been  the  scourge  of  nations,  is  contemplated."  There  were 
wide  differences  of  opinion  about  the  wisdom  of  this  appoint- 
ment and  much  severe  condemnation  of  it.  The  Chamber  of 
Commerce  did  not  hesitate  a  moment  about  its  duty  in  the 
controversy.    On  May  9,  three  days  after  Jay  had  been  given 

4S 


46  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

his  instructions,  it  passed  resolutions  approving  the  mission 
and  saying:  "If,  nevertheless,  this  embassy  should  fail  to  pre- 
serve to  us  the  blessings  of  Peace,  yet  we  persuade  ourselves 
it  cannot  fail  to  convince  all  nations  of  our  Justice  and  modera- 
tion, to  unite  our  own  sentiments  and  efforts,  and  render  an 
appeal  to  arms  more  honorable  to  us  and  more  formidable  to 
our  enemies." 

'  Jay  had  scarcely  sailed  on  his  mission  when  the  British 
governor  of  Canada,  Lord  Dorchester,  made  a  speech  un- 
friendly in  character  to  the  United  States,  and  other  develop- 
ments occurred  which  so  intensified  the  bitterness  between  the 
two  countries  that  Washington  said  in  a  message  to  Congress, 
on  May  21,  1794:  "This  new  state  of  things  suggests  the  pro- 
priety of  placing  the  United  States  in  a  posture  of  effectual 
preparation  for  an  event,  which,  notwithstanding  the  en- 
deavors making  to  avert  it,  may,  by  circmnstances  beyond 
our  control,  be  forced  upon  us." 

Washington  had  sent  Jay  to  England  as  a  last  chance  of 
maintaining  peace.  On  arriving,  Jay  found  that  Pitt  had  vol- 
imtarily  retreated  from  his  position  and  that  new  orders  had 
been  issued  exempting  from  seizure  American  vessels  engaged 
in  the  direct  trade  from  the  United  States  to  the  French  West 
Indies.  This  concession  was  of  great  value,  for  the  Americans 
quickly  proved  that  they  could  carry  West  Indian  produce  to 
Europe,  not  only  more  cheaply  than  British  ships  could,  but 
almost  as  quickly  and  could  make  double  freight  by  stopping 
at  an  American  port  on  the  return  voyage.  The  concession 
was  attributed  to  fear  on  the  part  of  Great  Britain  caused 
by  the  firm  attitude  which  Washington  had  taken  in  his  sug- 
gestion to  Congress,  quoted  above,  for  "effectual  prepara- 
tion" in  case  the  controversy  should  result  in  war.  The 
British  concession  justified  the  memorable  opinion  which  he 
had  expressed  four  years  earlier,  in  his  address  to  Congress 
in  joint  session,  on  January  8, 1790:  "To  be  prepared  for  war 
is  one  of  the  most  effective  means  of  preserving  peace.    A 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  47 

free  people  ought  not  only  to  be  armed,  but  disciplined." 
Jay  had  the  benefit  of  this  partial  retreat  by  the  British 
Government  in  opening  his  negotiations  with  Earl  Granville. 
Various  projects  were  considered,  and  a  treaty  was  signed  on 
November  19,  1794.  It  settled  the  eastern  boundary  of 
Maine,  secured  the  surrender  of  western  forts  still  held  by  the 
British,  and  recovered  $10,345,000  for  illegal  captures  by 
British  cruisers. 

When  Washington  received  the  treaty  he  deliberated  for 
some  time  as  to  whether,  in  view  of  the  excited  condition  of 
the  public  mind,  to  submit  it  to  the  Senate  for  ratification  and 
to  the  House  for  the  legislation  necessary  to  carry  out  its  pro- 
visions. There  was  a  furious  outcry  against  it.  Hamilton 
at  first  raised  objections  to  it,  and  subsequently,  when  he  at- 
tempted to  speak  in  public  in  its  defense,  was  mobbed. 

While  public  excitement  was  at  its  height  and  the  fate  of 
the  treaty  in  the  Senate  and  House  imcertain,  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce  called  a  special  meeting  on  July  21,  1795,  for  the 
purpose  of  considering  the  subject  which  "particularly  agitates 
the  public  mind,  the  Treaty  of  Amity,  Commerce  and  Naviga- 
tion, between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain."  The 
minutes  for  the  day  have  this  entry:  "This  meeting  was  the 
most  respectable  ever  held  in  the  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
(upwards  of  seventy  members  being  present).  After  the 
treaty  was  read,  resolutions  approving  thereof  were  adopted 
with  only  ten  dissenting  voices." 

This  action  by  the  Chamber,  at  a  critical  stage  of  the 
treaty's  progress,  led  to  similar  action  by  other  mercantile 
bodies  throughout  the  country  and  this  support  had  a  powerful 
influence  in  securing  its  ratification  by  the  Senate  and  the  pas- 
sage of  the  necessary  enabling  legislation  by  the  House. 

Events  were  to  prove  that  the  Chamber  was  far-sighted  in 
the  wisdom  of  its  action.  Through  the  effects  of  Pitt's  con- 
cession and  certain  provisions  of  the  treaty,  there  was  a  sudden 
increase  in  American  shipping  of  such  volume,  says  Henry 


48  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

Adams  in  his  "History  of  the  United  States,"  that  "at  the 
close  of  the  century  the  British  flag  seemed  in  danger  of  com- 
plete exclusion  from  the  harbors  of  the  United  States."  In 
support  of  this  statement  Mr.  Adams  gives  the  following 
figures: 

In  1790  more  than  550  British  ships,  with  a  capacity  of  more 
than  115,000  tons,  had  entered  inward  and  outward,  representing 
about  haK  that  nimiber  of  actual  vessels;  in  1799  the  custom- 
house returns  showed  not  100  entries,  and  in  1800  about  140, 
representing  a  capacity  of  40,000  tons.  In  the  three  years  1790- 
1792,  the  returns  showed  an  average  of  some  280  outward  and 
inward  entries  of  American  ships  with  a  capacity  of  54,000  tons; 
in  1800  the  entries  were  1,057,  with  a  capacity  of  236,000  tons. 
The  Americans  were  not  only  beginning  to  engross  the  direct 
trade  between  their  own  ports  and  Europe,  but  were  also  rapidly 
obtaining  the  indirect  carr3dng-trade  between  the  West  Indies  and 
the  European  continent,  and  even  between  one  European  coun- 
try and  another. 

Simmiing  up  the  effects  of  the  Jay  treaty,  Mr.  Adams 
writes:  "Chief  Justice  Jay,  in  1794,  negotiated  a  treaty  with 
Lord  Granville  which  was  in  some  respects  very  hard  upon 
the  United  States,  but  was  inestimably  valuable  to  them,  be- 
cause it  tied  Pitt's  hands  and  gave  time  for  the  new  American 
Constitution  to  gain  strength.  Ten  years  steady  progress 
were  well  worth  any  temporary  concessions." 

While  on  his  way  back  from  London  Jay  was  elected  Gov- 
ernor of  New  York,  and  that  the  Chamber  took  an  active  part 
in  the  celebration  which  greeted  him  on  his  arrival  is  shown 
by  an  entry  in  the  minutes  of  the  session  of  January  2, 1795, 
ordering  payment  for  "gunpowder  expended  in  celebrating 
the  election  of  John  Jay  as  Governor  of  the  State." 


It  is  difi&cult  for  the  present  generation  to  realize  what  a 
scourge  yellow  fever  was  in  American  cities  during  the  clos- 
ing years  of  1700  and  the  first  quarter  of  1800.  It  appeared 
regularly  every  year,  more  often  in  Southern  than  in  Northern 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  49 

cities,  and  its  advent  paralyzed  all  social  and  business  life 
during  its  stay.  The  secret  of  the  transmission  of  the  disease, 
which  was  also  its  prevention,  was  discovered  by  a  board  of 
anny  surgeons  in  1900  after  the  Spanish  War.  Two  members 
of  the  board — ^Lazear  and  Carroll — permitted  themselves  to 
be  bitten  by  yellow-fever  infected  mosquitoes.  Both  got  the 
disease;  Carroll  recovered  but  Lazear  died — a  martyr  to  science 
and  the  human  race.  Other  like  tests  were  made  upon  volun- 
teers for  the  purpose,  and  the  result  was  absolute  demonstra- 
tion that  the  disease  was  transmitted  by  the  mosquito  of  a 
peculiar  type  and  by  that  mosquito  alone.  This  discovery 
not  only  banished  the  pest  forever  from  American  cities  but 
from  the  Isthmus  of  Panama,  thus  making  possible  the  con- 
struction of  the  canal. 

The  first  visit  of  yellow  fever  to  New  York  occurred  in  1795 
and  continued  through  the  months  of  August,  September, 
October,  and  November,  causing  the  death  of  about  seven 
hundred  persons,  mostly  foreigners.  A  second  visit,  equally 
deadly,  came  in  1798,  a  third  in  1799,  and  a  fourth  in  1822. 
In  consequence  of  the  general  alarm  which  it  caused  there  was 
an  exodus  of  the  population  to  regions  outside  the  city  limits. 
The  Chamber  of  Commerce  suspended  all  meetings  during 
the  summer  whenever  it  appeared.  It  is  recorded  in  the  min- 
utes of  August,  1798,  that  a  "malignant  yellow-fever  having 
app)eared  about  the  28th  of  August,  and  a  general  dispersion 
of  the  inhabitants  of  New  York  having  taken  place  soon  after, 
no  meeting  was  held  from  that  time  till  December  24." 

But  while  its  activities  suffered  by  these  long  interruptions, 
the  Chamber  during  1796,  1797,  and  1798  continued  to  exert 
its  influence  steadily  on  the  side  of  the  best  interests  of  the 
trade  and  commerce  of  the  city,  approving  a  bill  before  Con- 
gress for  the  protection  of  American  seamen  and  sending  a 
special  representative  to  Philadelphia  to  impress  upon  Con- 
gress, then  in  session  there,  the  necessity  of  adequate  forti- 
fication of  the  harbor  of  New  York. 


50  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

That  the  Chamber  of  this  period  was  not  composed  of 
"peace-at-any-price"  men  was  demonstrated  anew,  on 
April  20,  1798,  when  the  relations  between  the  United  States 
and  the  Republic  of  France  were  becoming  more  strained 
daily.  A  committee  appointed  for  the  purpose  made  a  re- 
port approving  the  neutral  policy  adopted  by  President 
Washington  at  the  beginning  of  hostilities  in  Europe,  and 
adhered  to  by  his  successor,  John  Adams,  for  an  amicable 
settlement  of  misunderstandings  with  France,  and  concluded 
its  report  with  the  following  declaration  and  resolution: 

But,  estimating  our  rights  as  an  independent  nation  far  above 
any  considerations  of  inconvenience,  which  may  attend  the  means 
of  maintaining  and  preserving  them, 

Resolved,  that  we  will  zealously  support  such  measures  as  the 
wisdom  of  the  Government  may  dictate,  and  demonstrate  by  our 
unanimity,  that  all  efiForts  to  divide  us  will  be  vain. 

About  forty  members  were  present  at  the  meeting  when  the 
report  was  made.  They  voted  imanimously  to  approve  it 
and  its  accompanying  declaration  and  resolution,  and  to 
forward  a  copy  to  President  Adams.  This  was  done,  and 
under  date  of  April  27,  1798,  the  President  sent  a  reply  in 
which  he  said  the  declaration  and  resolution  were  "expressive 
of  sentiments  worthy  of  the  American  people,"  and  added: 
"Your  approbation  of  the  system  of  the  United  States, 
and  the  manner  of  the  Government  to  pursue  and  preserve 
it,  afford  much  satisfaction  to  me  in  reflecting  on  what  is 
passed  and  encouragement  to  perseverance  in  future." 

But  the  demoralizing  effect  of  the  long  interruptions  in 
the  sessions  of  the  Chamber  because  of  yellow  fever  began  to 
be  apparent  after  1798.  Very  few  meetings  were  held,  and 
the  attendance  at  them  was  too  small  for  the  transaction  of 
business.  It  became  necessary  to  call  special  meetings  when 
action  was  considered  important.  One  was  called  on  Decem- 
ber 26,  1799,  to  consider  "some  appropriate  mode  of  testify- 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS  51 

ing  regret  for  the  irreparable  loss  sustained  by  the  nation  in  the 
death  of  George  Washington";  and  others  to  send  memorials 
to  Congress  on  the  subject  of  some  matters  of  large  interest 
to  the  welfare  of  the  city.  Efforts  were  made  to  secure  a 
larger  attendance,  but  were  without  success,  and  beginning 
with  1806,  for  a  period  of  eleven  years  no  meetings  were  held. 
Undoubtedly  the  commercial  depression  and  internal  dis- 
sensions attending  the  controversy  with  Great  Britain,  which 
resulted  in  the  War  of  181 2,  had  much  to  do  with  this. 


CHAPTER  XI 
REVIVAL  OF  THE  CHAMBER 

FREE-TRADE    ATTITUDE    OF    THE    MEMBERS — ^NATIONAL    BANK- 
RUPTCY   LAW    FAVORED — ^REMOVAL    TO     THE 
merchants'  EXCHANGE 

1817-1827 

On  March  4, 18 17,  Cornelius  Ray,  who  had  been  President 
of  the  Chamber  when  meetings  ceased  in  1806,  summoned  its 
members  together,  saying  to  those  who  responded  that,  "from 
a  variety  of  circumstances  the  meetings  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce  had  been  intermitted  for  a  considerable  number 
of  years;  that  at  the  request  of  several  respectable  gentle- 
men he  had  summoned  the  present  meeting  for  the  purpose 
of  reviving  this  once  eminent  and  highly  useful  institution." 
The  names  of  thirty-six  persons  for  new  membership  were 
proposed. 

At  this  meeting  the  former  Treasurer  resigned  and  in  turn- 
ing over  the  affairs  of  his  office  to  his  successor  gave  this 
inventory  of  the  assets  of  the  Chamber  on  June  i,  1806: 
One  share  in  the  United  States  Bank;  i  share  in  the  Bank 
of  New  York;  and  $188.27  in  cash.  At  the  meeting  in 
March  following,  the  Treasurer  reported  the  funds  of  the 
Chamber  as  follows:  One  share  in  Bank  of  New  York;  7 
shares  in  the  Eagle  Fire  Insurance  Co.;  $372.67  in  cash. 
The  Treasurer  was  ordered  to  invest  the  moneys  in  hand  in 
shares  of  the  Eagle  Fire  Insurance  Co. 

In  April  following,  the  practice  of  monthly  meetings  was 
abolished,  and  bimonthly  ones  were  ordered,  those  in  May, 
July,  and  September  to  be  held  at  12  o'clock  noon,  and  those 
in  November,  January,  and  March  at  6  p.  m.    This  was  the 

S2 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  53 

only  change  of  importance  made  in  the  existing  by-laws,  ex- 
cept that  it  was  provided  that  the  names  of  persons  having 
disputes  before  the  standing  committee  on  arbitration  were 
to  be  published  in  the  newspapers.  The  meetings  were  now 
held  in  the  Long  Room  of  the  Tontine  Coffee  House,  the  rental 
of  which  to  the  Chamber  was  seventy-five  dollars  a  year. 
The  depreciated  quality  of  wheat  and  flour  was  a  constant 
subject  of  consideration  by  the  Chamber  during  181 7  and  1818, 
and  voluminous  memoriak  to  the  Legislature  were  made  at 
frequent  intervals.  Li  January,  1819,  the  Chamber  sent  a 
long  memorial  to  Congress  requesting  the  enactment  of  a 
national  bankruptcy  law  which  "should  put  creditors  of 
all  descriptions  upon  a  footing  of  equality  throughout  the 
Union";  in  February  and  other  months,  other  long  memorials 
against  the  repeal  of  the  charter  of  the  Bank  of  the  United 
States;  against  discriminating  duties  levied  by  France  on 
staple  products  of  the  United  States;  on  defects  in  the 
methods  of  collecting  revenue;  and  on  various  other  matters 
connected  with  trade  and  conunerce. 

In  September,  1820,  the  Chamber  sent  a  delegation  to  a 
convention  of  representatives  of  aU  commercial  cities  which 
was  held  in  Philadelphia  of  that  year  to  take  measures  to  de- 
feat the  tariff  bill  then  before  Congress.  Resolutions  were 
adopted  strongly  opposing  any  tariff  except  for  purposes  of 
revenue  and  these,  when  reported  to  the  Chamber  by  its  re- 
turning delegates,  were  spread  upon  the  minutes  with  unani- 
mous approval. 

The  project  for  building  a  Merchants'  Exchange  was 
brought  before  the  Chamber  at  its  meeting  on  July  3,  182 1, 
and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  consider  its  expediency. 
At  the  next  meeting,  September  4,  the  committee  reported 
that  they  considered  the  project  expedient  and  had  taken  it 
upon  themselves  to  petition  the  Legislature  for  an  act  of  in- 
corporation with  a  capital  of  five  hundred  thousand  dollars, 
and  in  doing  so  did  not  know  but  that  they  had  exceeded  the 


54  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

power  intended  to  be  granted  them.  The  Chamber  approved 
their  action.  The  Legislature  passed  the  act,  a  corporation 
was  formed,  and  the  Exchange  was  erected.  A  description 
of  the  building  appears  in  other  pages  of  this  volume. 

Among  the  many  memorials  sent  by  the  Chamber  to  the 
President  and  Congress  at  this  time  was  one  asking  for  the  pro- 
tection of  commerce  against  the  "perils  that  infest  the  West 
Indies  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico";  and  another,  on  January  6, 
1824,  with  the  united  approval  of  the  commercial  towns  and 
cities  of  the  country,  asking  for  a  national  bankruptcy  law. 
A  public  meeting  was  called  at  the  Tontine  Coffee  House  to 
support  the  latter. 

During  1822  and  1823  the  Chamber  continued  to  send  me- 
morials to  Congress  in  undiminished  volume,  the  full  text  of 
which  the  Secretary  was  required  to  spread  on  the  minutes, 
making  his  office  something  far  removed  from  a  sinecure.  In 
February,  1823,  the  Chamber,  having  been  asked  by  a  group 
of  young  men  who  a  year  or  two  earlier  had  united  to  establish 
a  Mercantile  Library  Association  for  their  own  self-improve- 
ment, to  come  to  their  assistance,  responded  with  an  appro- 
priation of  two  hundred  dollars  and  the  appointment  of  a 
standing  committee,  renewed  annually,  to  visit  the  library 
from  time  to  time  and  report  to  the  Chamber  as  to  its  condi- 
tion. It  was  estimated  at  the  time  that  there  were  about 
four  thousand  merchants'  clerks  in  the  city,  of  whom  only 
two  hundred  had  become  interested  in  the  library.  The 
Chamber  not  only  encouraged  the  worthy  project  with  con- 
tributions of  money,  but  by  its  hearty  commendation  did  much 
to  start  the  association  on  that  long,  useful,  and  honorable 
career  which  continues  to  this  day. 

The  uncompromisingly  free-trade  attitude  of  the  Cham- 
ber was  displayed  with  great  clearness  on  January  26,  1824, 
when  in  a  series  of  resolutions  it  declared  that  "as  (it  is)  the 
sense  of  this  Chamber  that  the  true  and  legitimate  object  of 
taxation  is  revenue,  and  that  the  power  to  lay  and  collect 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  $5 

taxes  and  establish  imports,  which  is  given  to  Congress  by  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States,  was  not  granted  with 
the  intention,  nor  will  it  bear  the  construction  that  it  may  be 
so  exercised  as  to  cherish  and  elevate  one  class  at  the  expense 
of  all  the  other  classes  of  our  citizens, "  therefore,  the  Chamber 
"protests  against  increased  duties  as  prohibitions  and  restric- 
tions on  trade  and  will  promote  exclusive  interests  at  the 
national  expense."  A  memorial  embodying  these  views  at 
length  was  sent  to  Congress.  The  memorial  was  directed 
against  the  tariff  measure  of  which  Henry  Clay  became  the 
chief  champion  and  Daniel  Webster  the  leader  of  the  oppo- 
sition. Clay  invented  at  that  time  the  phrase  "American 
system"  for  the  doctrine  of  protection  and  made  what  are 
regarded  as  the  ablest  speeches  of  his  career  in  support  of  the 
bill,  carrying  it  to  success. 

The  Merchants'  Exchange  being  ready  for  occupancy  in 
May,  1827,  the  Chamber  held  its  first  meeting  there  on  the 
first  day  of  the  month  and  signified  the  occasion  by  an  act 
of  historical  interest.  In  co-operation  with  the  Philadelphia 
Chamber  of  Conmaerce,  it  adopted  a  memorial  to  President 
John  Quincy  Adams,  in  favor  of  a  line  of  communication  be- 
tween the  United  States  and  the  Pacific  Ocean,  through  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  across  the  Isthmus  of  Darien,  which  at  the 
time  included  what  is  now  the  Isthmus  of  Panama.  The 
proposal  was  for  a  line  of  small  national  vessels  to  sail  from 
Atlantic  Coast  ports  to  the  mouth  of  the  Chagres  River, 
which  was  then  the  starting-point  for  transportation  across 
the  Isthmus,  to  the  city  of  Panama  on  the  Pacific  side.  The 
mouth  of  the  Chagres  River  is  about  ten  miles  west  of  the 
present  city  of  Colon  and  the  Atlantic  entrance  to  the  Panama 
Canal.  In  1827  transportation  across  the  Isthmus  was  by 
small  boat,  or  native  dugout  canoes,  up  the  Chagres  for 
about  twenty  miles  to  a  village  then  called  Venta  Cruz,  and 
later  Cruces,  and  thence  by  mule  trail  to  Panama,  a  distance 
of  about  thirty-six  miles. 


56  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

The  originators  of  the  project  of  1827  never  dreamed  of  a 
United  States  that  should  fill  the  entire  continent  between  the 
Atlantic  and  the  Pacific,  traversed  by  great  lines  of  railway, 
or  of  a  railway  across  the  Isthmus,  or  of  a  canal  dividing 
it.  Their  project  of  a  line  of  vessels  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Chagres  River  was  put  into  operation  in  1849,  ^-nd  one  year 
later  the  task  of  building  a  railway  across  the  Isthmus  was 
begun. 


CHAPTER  Xn 

ACTIVE  INTEREST  IN  PUBLIC  AFFAIRS 

city,  ■  state,  and  national  questions  considered — erie  ' 

railroad  favored — burning  of  the 

merchants'  exchange 

1827-1836 

The  modest  financial  condition  of  the  Chamber  at  this 
period  is  disclosed  in  the  biUs  paid  at  the  time  of  taking  up 
its  abode  in  the  Merchants'  Exchange.  There  was  a  charge 
of  thirty  dollars  for  ten  meetings,  at  three  dollars  each,  in  the 
Tontine  Coflfee  House;  one  of  one  hundred  dollars,  as  salary 
of  Secretary,  and  one  of  five  dollars  for  advertising.  No 
other  expenses  seem  to  have  been  incurred  during  the  year. 
The  original  charter,  in  its  mahogany  box,  was  duly  received 
and  placed  in  the  new  quarters. 

In  September,  1827,  and  again  in  April,  1828,  the  members 
of  the  bar  of  the  city,  recognizing  the  influence  which  the 
Chamber  exercised  upon  the  public,  requested  it  to  express 
its  opinion  upon  measures  before  the  Common  Council  for 
changes  in  the  judiciary  system,  and  the  request  was  granted. 
In  the  latter  year  the  Chamber  was  requested  to  pass  upon 
the  names  of  candidates  who  were  suggested  for  the  newly 
constituted  Court  of  Common  Pleas.  In  response  to  this 
request  the  Chamber  called  a  public  meeting  of  merchants 
and  traders  in  its  meeting-room  in  the  Merchants'  Exchange 
for  the  purpose  of  "recommending  to  the  Governor  such  per- 
sons as  in  their  opinion  are  proper  individuals  for  that  sta- 
tion." 

A  special  meeting  was  called  in  February,  1828,  to  consider 
the  proper  means  for  testifying  respect  for  the  memory  of  De 

57 


58  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

Witt  Clinton,  who  died  on  the  nth  of  that  month.  A  series 
of  resolutions  was  adopted,  of  which  the  following  is  especially 
worthy  of  record: 

His  devotion  to  the  cause  of  science  and  literature,  and  to  the 
benevolent  institutions  which  distinguish  the  present  day — his 
successful  efforts  to  promote  schools  among  the  great  body  of  our 
citizens,  whereby  nearly  haK  a  milUon  of  our  youth  receive  the 
benefit  of  education — his  genius  in  projecting,  and  his  untiring 
zeal  and  energy  in  carrying  into  effect,  the  great  scheme  of  internal 
navigation,  which  has  already  united  the  Hudson  with  the  in- 
land seas  of  the  north,  and  will  soon  lead  to  a  similar  union  with 
the  immense  waters  of  the  west,  and  lay  open  to  the  commerce  of 
this  city  fertile  countries,  whose  shores  are  not  inferior  in  extent 
to  the  shores  of  Europe — ^all  show  the  superiority  of  his  mind — 
that  it  was  directed  to  the  most  patriotic  objects,  and  that  its 
efforts  have  been  crowned  with  the  most  splendid  success. 

Three-quarters  of  a  century  later  the  successors  of  the 
members  who  paid  this  high  and  just  tribute  reiterated  it,  and 
confirmed  it  in  enduring  form  by  placing  upon  the  front  of 
the  Chamber's  permanent  home  a  statue  in  marble  of  Clin- 
ton, in  the  fit  company  of  Alexander  Hamilton  and  John  Jay. 

In  March,  1828,  the  by-laws  were  again  revised,  with  slight 
changes,  and  the  hour  of  meeting  was  fixed  at  i  p.  m.  It 
was  decided  to  continue  the  standing  committee  on  disputes, 
and  to  enlarge  the  rules  of  admission  by  making  eligible  for 
membership  "any  American  citizen  who  regularly  transacts 
business  in  the  city  of  New  York  whether  he  be  a  resident  of 
the  city  or  elsewhere." 

Little  action  of  large  importance  was  taken  by  the  Cham- 
ber for  a  considerable  period  after  1828.  Congress  was  pe- 
titioned repeatedly  by  memorial  to  authorize  the  building 
of  a  new  custom-house.  "Not  less  than  five  hundred  per- 
sons," it  was  declared  in  one  of  these,  "daily  transact  business 
at  the  Custom  House.  It  is  not  an  infrequent  occurrence  to 
see  from  one  to  two  hundred  persons  at  a  time  in  the  Room 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  59 

occupied  by  the  Collector's  Office  in  an  area  of  little  more  than 
thirty  feet  square."  It  was  requested  that  the  new  building 
be  placed  in  Wall  Street,  as  the  convenient  centre  of  com- 
mercial business,  and  when  a  proposal  was  made  to  place 
both  a  custom-house  and  a  post-office  building  in  the  City 
Hall  Park,  vigorous  resolutions  were  adopted  and  sent  to 
Congress  protesting  against  the  plan,  declaring  that  to  place 
the  buildings  there  would  be  "to  commit  a  beautiful  Public 
Square,  which  is  now  set  apart  for  the  health  and  comfort  of 
the  citizens,  to  uses  for  which  it  was  never  intended."  The 
Custom  House  building  was  J&nally  placed  in  Wall  Street, 
where  it  still  stands.  It  was  used  as  a  custom-house  till  the 
present  building,  near  the  Bowling  Green,  was  completed. 
The  City  Hall  Park  was  invaded  in  1871,  when  the  post-office 
building  was  erected  on  its  southern  end. 

A  curious  incident  is  recorded  in  the  minutes  of  the  meet- 
ing on  May  6,  1834.  A  resolution  was  adopted  declaring 
"that  as  at  a  late  election  for  members  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce  the  privilege  of  excluding  by  blackballs  under  the 
4th  article  of  the  bylaws  was  availed  of  against  a  candidate 
for  admission,  to  whose  character  and  qualifications  there 
were  no  just  causes  of  exception,"  it  was,  therefore,  moved 
that  the  "4th  article  be  suspended  by  unanimous  consent  for 
the  purpose  of  balloting  for  John  P.  Stagg."  The  motion 
prevailed  and  Mr.  Stagg  was  elected.  At  the  same  time  vari- 
ous motions  were  made  to  amend  the  4th  article,  but  all  of 
them  were  tabled. 

In  September  of  the  same  year — 1834 — strong  approval 
was  voted  of  a  project  for  a  ship  canal  aroimd  Niagara  Falls, 
and  a  railroad  from  Lake  Erie  to  the  Hudson.  The  Chamber 
was  so  favorably  impressed  by  this  project  that  it  appointed 
a  committee  to  prepare  a  pamphlet  explaining  it  and  setting 
forth  its  merits,  the  same  to  be  used  for  general  distribution 
at  a  cost  not  exceeding  two  hundred  dollars  to  be  paid  by  the 
Chamber.    The  ultimate  outcome  of  this  project  was  the 


6o  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

building  of  the  Erie  raikoad,  and  later,  when  the  work  was 
under  way  the  Chamber  adopted  strong  resolutions  in  favor 
of  its  completion,  urging  citizens  of  all  classes  to  subscribe  to 
its  stock,  and  expressing  the  hope  that  the  Legislature  would 
grant  all  reasonable  aid. 

Under  date  of  January  5,  1836,  this  single  entry  appears 
upon  the  minutes  of  the  Chamber: 

There  was  no  meeting  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  this  day  in 
consequence  of  the  total  destruction  of  the  Merchants'  Exchange 
and  the  confusion  created  in  all  business  arrangements  by  the 
dreadful  and  most  disastrous  fire  on  the  night  of  the  i6th  Decem- 
ber which  has  laid  waste  the  greater  part  of  the  business  section  of 
the  First  Ward.  The  books  and  pictures  belonging  to  the  Cham- 
ber and  its  Corporate  Seal  fortunately  were  saved  from  the  flames. 

The  next  meeting  of  the  Chamber  was  held  in  the  Mer- 
chants' Bank,  on  February  3,  1836,  which  continued  to  be  its 
home  till  1858.  At  this  meeting  the  Treasurer  reported  that 
the  sixteen  shares  which  the  Chamber  held  in  the  Eagle  Fire 
Insurance  Co.,  "may  be  considered  so  much  loss  owing  to  the 
late  dreadful  conflagration  by  means  of  which  said  company 
among  others  has  been  rendered  insolvent." 

That  members  of  the  standing  committee  on  disputes  were 
often  lax  in  attendance  at  its  sessions  was  shown  in  a  report 
which  the  member  who  had  been  acting  Secretary  since  that 
form  of  committee  was  created  in  1822  made  in  July,  1836. 
It  showed  a  total  of  one  hundred  and  forty  dollars  as  the 
amount  of  fines  collected  during  that  period. 

Steadily  and  persistently,  during  the  period  between  1820 
and  1840,  the  Chamber  petitioned  Congress  in  a  continuous 
stream  of  memorials  to  enact  legislation  for  the  regulation  of 
pilots,  for  the  building  of  lighthouses  in  the  harbor,  and  for 
desirable  quarantine  regulations. 


H  o     3 


3 


CO  ts.K 

O  I 

X  o^ 

H  ?" «» 

fa,  --^ 

O  p-S 


W    y  a     o 

z.   *-  ■-    a 

g  ^  a  s 


o       e 


CHAPTER  Xm 
FRESH  LIFE  IN  THE  CHAMBER 

ADDITIONAL  MEMBERS  ELECTED — GROWTE  IN  PROTECTION 
SENTIMENT 

1840-1849 

Early  in  1840  a  systematic  effort  was  made  to  put  new  life 
into  the  Chamber  and  increase  its  activities.  A  special  com- 
mittee, which  had  been  appointed  to  "consider  what  steps 
should  be  taken  to  extend  the  usefulness  of  this  corporation," 
made  a  report  which  was  regarded  as  of  so  much  importance 
that  a  special  meeting  was  called  to  consider  it.  The  Mayor 
offered  the  City  Hall  for  the  meeting  and  it  was  held  there, 
after  ten  days'  notice,  on  March  17.  It  was  agreed  imani- 
mously  that  the  following  programme  should  be  put  into 
effect  as  soon  as  possible: 

Elect  a  large  number  of  new  members. 

Procure  ofl&ces  of  suitable  size  and  a  central  position  for 
the  accommodation  of  the  Library  of  the  Chamber  and  for 
the  daily  meeting  of  such  members  as  may  choose  to  resort 
there,  it  being  recommended  that  every  one  appear  there 
once  a  day. 

Appoint  a  clerk  with  a  moderate  salary  to  give  his  con- 
stant attendance  between  9  A.  m.  and  9  p.  M.;  keep  a  record 
daily  of  the  time  of  high  water,  course  of  the  wind,  foreign 
arrivals  at  the  port,  and  such  other  information  as  it  may  seem 
of  importance  to  have;  keep  files  of  newspapers  from  different 
parts  of  the  Union,  one  at  least  from  each  State,  with  such 
public  documents  and  important  laws  as  may  be  received; 
the  clerk  to  serve  also  as  librarian  or  assistant  librarian. 

An  annual  amount,  not  exceeding  ten  dollars,  be  paid  to 

61 


62  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

the  Treasurer  by  each  member,  in  addition  to  the  initiation 
fee,  such  payment  to  entitle  the  member,  besides  the  use  of 
office  and  Hbrary,  to  the  privilege  of  submitting  cases  for 
arbitration  to  the  standing  committee  free  of  charge,  which 
privileges  were  to  cease  on  failure  to  pay  the  award.  Privi- 
leges of  the  office  could  be  extended  to  persons  not  members 
under  such  regulations  as  the  Chamber  might  from  time  to 
time  direct. 

Amend  the  by-laws  so  as  to  read:  "No  persons  can  be  ad- 
mitted members  of  this  corporation  but  merchants,  and  others 
whose  avocations  are  connected  with  the  trade  and  commerce 
of  the  country,  who  are  American  citizens  or  have  given  notice 
of  intention  to  become  so,  or  continue  members  if  not  residents 
in  the  city  of  New  York  or  regularly  transacting  business 
there." 

The  e£fort  to  enlarge  the  membership  of  the  Chamber 
seems  to  have  been  reasonably  successful,  but  there  was  little 
apparent  increase  immediately  in  the  Chamber's  activities. 
During  the  year  1841  very  little  business  of  importance  was 
transacted.  A  long  memorial  was  sent  to  Congress  in  favor 
of  a  National  Bank,  but  in  general  only  minor  matters  were 
considered.  A  statement  of  the  Chamber's  financial  con- 
dition, made  in  August,  1841,  showed  $1,182.54  in  cash; 
I  share  in  the  Bank  of  New  York;  10  shares  in  the  Mer- 
chants' Exchange,  and  16  shares  (old)  Eagle  Fire  Insurance 
Co. 

When  the  question  of  imposing  discriminating  tariffs  on 
foreign  importations  was  before  Congress  in  1842,  discussion 
of  the  subject  revealed  a  distinct  growth  in  protection  senti- 
ment in  the  Chamber.  Eighteen  years  earlier,  in  January, 
1824,  when  the  tariff  bUl  of  which  Clay  was  the  champion  was 
on  its  passage  through  Congress,  the  Chamber  had  agreed 
upon  a  memorial  strongly  in  support  of  a  tariff  for  revenue 
only  and  earnestly  opposed  to  any  tariff  for  protection. 
In  April,  1842,  a  memorial  was  presented  to  the  Chamber  in 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  63 

which  the  existence  and  prosperity  of  home  industry  were 
declared  to  be  the  fundamental  basis  of  all  commerce  and 
trade,  and  the  attitude  of  the  Chamber  was  defined  as  follows: 

The  doctrine  of  "free  trade"  meets  the  entire  concurrence  of 
this  Chamber,  and  wherever  it  can  be  met  with,  should  be  en- 
hanced, but  if  not  mutually  practised  by  nations  in  their  inter- 
course with  us,  is  seen  to  demonstrate  the  sad  consequences  which 
seem  too  self  evident  to  need  an  illustration. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  this  Chamber,  that  in  no  other  way,  as  a  pre- 
liminary measure,  can  this  nation  be  restored  to  its  former  high 
stand — the  debts  of  the  states  Uquidated  by  the  prospered  condi- 
tion of  their  citizens  to  pay  the  same — and  the  national  honor  and 
character  sustained — than  by  a  resort  to  a  discriminating  tariff 
of  duty  on  foreign  imports. 

This  memorial  was  printed  and  circulated  widely,  but  when 
it  came  before  the  Chamber  for  action,  consideration  was  in- 
definitely postponed  by  a  vote  of  thirty-six  to  thirty,  showing 
the  Chamber  to  be  nearly  evenly  divided.  Various  resolu- 
tions, in  opposition  to  the  discriminating  tariff  measure,  were 
introduced  and  all  met  the  same  fate. 

At  the  meeting  on  February  15,  1843,  this  minute  was  re- 
corded: "A  reporter  being  present  from  one  of  the  public 
newspapers,  a  motion  was  made  by  Mr.  Blunt  that  no  person 
be  allowed  to  be  present  at  this  meeting  except  by  special  per- 
mission of  the  presiding  officer."  The  motion  was  carried 
unanimously  and  the  President  decided  that  the  reporter 
should  withdraw.  Six  years  later,  in  August,  1849,  ^^  applica- 
tion was  made  on  behalf  of  a  reporter  of  Tlie  Journal  of  Com- 
merce for  permission  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the  Chamber 
and  report  them,  and  this  v/as  granted  with  the  proviso  that 
he  should  submit  his  reports  for  revision  to  the  President  or 
Secretary  and  should  furnish  slips  to  other  newspapers.  From 
this  time  the  meetings  of  the  Chamber  seem  to  have  been 
reported  regularly  in  the  newspapers. 

In  October,  1843,  the  dues  of  members,  in  addition  to 


64  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

the  admission  fee,  were  reduced  from  ten  dollars  to  one 
dollar. 

Various  memorials  were  sent  to  Congress  during  this  period, 
including  one  advocating  the  appointment  of  consular  agents 
to  China  for  the  encouragement  of  commercial  intercourse; 
one  against  a  duty  on  railroad  iron;  one  in  favor  of  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  Hydrographic  Department  in  the  National  Ob- 
servatory at  Washington;  and  several  urging  the  removal  of 
obstructions  in  the  Hell  Gate  Channel. 

In  May,  1849,  the  membership  of  the  Chamber  was  re- 
corded officially  as  two  hundred  and  five,  with  all  dues  paid. 
With  so  large  a  membership  the  general  interest  appears  to 
have  been  slight,  for  at  the  same  time  the  number  necessary 
for  a  quorum  was  reduced  from  thirteen  to  nine. 


CHAPTER  XIV 
NEW  QUARTERS  AND  BROADER  ACTIYITIES 

SUPPRESSION  OF  PRIVATEERING  SOUGHT — MEETINGS  IN  CLIN- 
TON HALL — FIRST  ANNUAL  REPORT 

1851-1858 

During  the  period  between  1851  and  1853  ^^  attention  of 
the  Chamber  was  confined  quite  steadily  to  matters  relating 
to  trade  and  commerce,  both  of  the  city  and  the  country  at 
large.  Repeated  action  of  various  kinds  was  taken  in  regard 
to  warehousing,  pilots,  harbor  improvements,  and  similar 
subjects,  and  a  memorial  was  sent  to  the  Legislature  in  favor 
of  the  adoption  of  an  amendment  to  the  Constitution  which 
would  enable  the  State  to  borrow  enough  money  to  complete 
the  Erie  Canal.  In  April,  1853,  a  report  of  the  Treasurer 
showed  that  there  were  two  hundred  and  fifteen  members  of 
the  Chamber,  and  there  had  been  collected  in  dues  for  the 
past  three  years  six  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars. 

An  earnest  effort  was  made  in  January,  1854,  to  extend 
further  the  usefulness  of  the  Chamber  by  securing  more  com- 
modious quarters  and  enlarging  its  activities  as  a  body  of 
citizens  devoted  to  the  welfare  and  progress  of  the  city  and 
nation.  A  committee,  which  had  been  appointed  for  the 
purpose,  made  an  elaborate  report  on  January  6,  which 
showed  that  the  S9ciety  continued  steadfast  in  the  spirit  of 
the  founders.  A  few  passages  are  worth  quoting  in  evidence 
of  this  fact: 

This  city  in  its  vast  amplitudes  is  growing  up  to  such  gigantic 
importance  as  to  draw  upon  us  the  attention  of  the  entire  com- 
mercial world,  justifying  their  right  to  expect  from  us  the  establish- 
es 


66  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

ment  and  perpetuity  of  intelligent  rules  and  principles  of  action 
in  all  the  business  relations  of  society. 

In  its  early  history  the  Chamber  was  under  the  guidance  of 
men  whose  coimcils  aided  essentially  in  the  memorable  events  of 
our  revolutionary  struggle. 

Although,  during  some  of  the  subsequent  portions  of  the  his- 
tory of  this  corporation,  we  may  have  been  somewhat  less  energetic 
than  we  should  have  been,  yet  it  can  be  confidently  said  that  no 
step  had  ever  been  taken  in  it,  tending  to  diminish  its  high-toned 
respectabiUty. 

In  view  of  all  this,  we  should  not  permit  the  slightest  relaxation 
in  our  energies;  on  the  contrary,  we  should  press  on  with  a  deter- 
mined zeal  to  sustain  the  character  which  our  predecessors  have 
established,  thereby  drawing  our  merchants  into  new  habitudes 
of  social  intercourse  generating  a  local  tone  and  esprit  de  corps 
that  is  becoming  more  and  more  important  as  our  city  increases 
in  power  and  wealth. 

As  the  city  is  destined  to  increase  with  incalculable  rapidity,  we 
feel  the  need  of  an  organized  body  of  commercial  men  to  maintain 
a  watchful  care  over  our  interests  and  to  be  in  readiness  at  all 
times  to  furnish  our  national  and  state  Governments  with  reliable 
information  upon  points  affecting  our  general  welfare  as  business 
men  and  citizens. 


The  committee  recommended  that  the  Legislature  be  re- 
quested to  so  amend  the  charter  as  to  permit  the  meetings  of 
the  Chamber  to  be  held  on  any  one  of  the  six  working-days  of 
the  week,  instead  of  on  Tuesday  only;  that  the  Chamber  se- 
cure some  commodious  and  suitably  located  room  connected 
with  proper  acconmiodation  for  the  safe  deposit  of  the  books, 
records,  maps,  documents,  etc.,  of  the  society;  that  the 
annual  dues  be  increased  to  three  dollars,  and  immediate 
steps  be  taken  to  collect  arrearages.  The  committee  sug- 
gested that  the  desired  result  might  be  accomplished  by  the 
purchase  or  erection  of  a  building,  part  of  which  could  be 
rented  so  as  to  leave  the  Chamber  free  of  rent. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  was  accepted  imanimously. 
On  being  appealed  to,  the  Legislature  amended  the  charter 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  67 

as  desired,  and  the  by-laws  were  amended  soon  afterward, 
making  Thursday  in  the  first  week  of  each  month  the  day  of 
meeting  instead  of  Tuesday.  The  subject  of  suitable  rooms 
was  under  quite  regular  discussion  for  four  years.  The  com- 
mittee was  enlarged,  and  its  powers  were  increased  by  giving 
it  authority  to  engage  a  room  at  a  rental  not  exceeding  fifteen 
hundred  dollars;  to  devise  the  proper  mode  for  raising  the 
funds  requisite,  and  to  superintend  the  fitting  up  of  the  rooms 
when  secured.  Finally,  on  March  11,  1858,  the  committee 
were  authorized  to  select  from  four  obtainable  suites  of  rooms 
the  one  which  in  their  judgment  was  most  suitable,  and  they 
chose  one  in  the  Underwriters'  Building  at  William  and 
Cedar  Streets.  A  corresponding  secretary  was  chosen  at  a 
salary  of  one  thousand  dollars,  and  one  thousand  dollars  was 
appropriated  for  the  purchase  of  books.  On  June  10,  1858, 
the  new  quarters  were  formally  taken  possession  of,  with  an 
address  by  Charles  King,  president  of  Columbia  College,  and 
they  continued  to  be  the  home  of  the  Chamber  till  1884. 

During  the  period  in  which  the  question  of  removal  was 
under  discussion  the  Chamber  continued  to  exert  its  influence 
in  many  directions.  In  April,  1854,  it  addressed  a  memorial 
to  the  President  asking  him  to  "open  negotiations  with  other 
powers  for  the  suppression  of  privateering  and  also  for  the 
recognition  of  the  principle  that  free  ships  make  free  goods, 
and  the  neutral  flag  gives  neutrality  to  the  cargo." 

At  the  same  time,  the  Chamber  sent  a  memorial  to  Congress 
asking  for  the  passage  of  such  laws  as  would  in  their  opinion 
check  and  eventually  put  a  stop  to  privateering.  The  fol- 
lowing passage  was  an  additional  indication  that  the  Cham- 
ber was  not  a  timid  society  in  international  controversies: 
"Especially  do  your  memorialists  believe  that  the  present 
Belligerents  (France  and  England)  would  not  voluntarily  in- 
crease the  too  probable  hazard  of  a  war  with  America  on  this 
point." 

A  memorial  was  addressed  to  Congress  in  February,  1856, 


68  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

strongly  urging  a  treaty  of  reciprocity  with  Canada.  In 
November  a  recommendation  was  made  to  the  City  Comicil 
to  "employ  steani  as  an  arm  of  the  Fire  Department  in  the 
lower  districts  of  the  city,"  and  respectfully  urging  the  "im- 
portance of  obtaining  the  most  reliable  engine  for  that  pur- 
pose." 

The  size  of  the  membership  of  the  Chamber  in  1856  is  re- 
vealed in  the  Secretary's  report,  showing  that  dues  for  the 
three  years  ending  in  May  of  that  year  amounted  to  $202.30, 
which  had  been  collected  from  303  members.  The  amount 
collected  was  less  than  a  third  of  that  collected  in  the  pre- 
ceding three-year  period,  but  no  explanation  was  given  of  the 
decrease. 

A  new  departure  was  made  in  1856  when  a  proposal  was 
adopted  to  hold  evening  sessions  of  the  Chamber  quarterly,  at 
Clinton  Hall,  in  the  months  of  January,  April,  July,  and  Oc- 
tober. The  first  of  these  was  held  on  October  6,  1856,  and 
others  followed  regularly  for  several  years.  They  seem  to 
have  been  well  attended.  The  last  one  was  held  in  Janu- 
ary, 1859,  when  it  was  voted  that  quarterly  meetings  be  dis- 
continued. 

In  March,  1858,  an  amendment  was  proposed  to  the  by- 
laws increasing  the  annual  dues  from  three  to  ten  dollars. 
This  was  adopted.  The  latter  figure  was  the  one  in  force 
from  1840  till  1843,  when  it  was  reduced  to  one  dollar. 

The  Chamber  made  the  year  1858  a  notable  one  in  its 
history  by  beginning  the  publication  of  an  annual  report,  the 
first  of  a  series  which  has  been  continued  without  interrup- 
tion to  the  present  time.  It  was  a  volume  of  about  four 
hundred  pages  and  may  be  said  justly  to  have  set  a  standard 
for  its  successors,  for  it  was  a  model  of  what  such  a  publica- 
tion should  be.  In  announcing  it,  as  a  record  of  the  year  1858, 
its  compilers  said  the  Chamber  had  decided  that  an  annual 
report  be  issued  hereafter  under  the  direction  of  its  Executive 
Committee,  "with  a  view  to  illustrate,  as  far  as  practicable 


MERCHA^f^S•  EXCHANGE.   1827. 

The  Fifth  Home  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  from  1827  to  1835.    This  building  wag  destroyed  in  the 

great  fire  of  1835. 

Ftom  a  print  in  the  Emmet  Collection,  New  York  Public  Library. 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  69 

in  a  single  volume,  the  condition  of  mercantile  affairs  in  our 
city  during  the  preceding  year,  with  reference  also  to  any  im- 
portant changes  in  the  business  markets  of  the  state  at  large, 
connected  with  the  general  trade  of  the  country."  It  was 
added: 

In  the  absence  of  a  governmental  volume  from  the  Treasury 
Department,  or  from  a  Bureau  of  Statistics  at  Washington,  illus- 
trating the  interests  of  foreign  and  domestic  commerce  of  the 
several  States,  it  becomes  the  legitimate  duty  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce  annually  to  exhibit,  as  far  as  practicable,  the  progress 
of  trade,  commerce,  and  manufactures  in  our  city,  and  such  collat- 
eral topics  as  concern  the  interests  of  our  merchants.  It  is  con- 
sidered that  such  a  volume  might  appropriately  exhibit,  I.  The 
imports  and  exports  of  staples  from  the  city  and  state.  II.  Trade 
reports  for  the  year.  III.  A  review  of  the  &iancial  movements  of 
the  year.  IV.  The  progress  and  condition  of  manufactures. 
V.  Laws  of  the  United  States  for  the  year,  and  of  the  State  of 
New  York,  of  a  commercial  character.  VI.  Journal  of  Proceed- 
ings of  the  Chamber. 

This  programme  was  admirably  carried  out  in  the  first  vol- 
iime,  which  is  a  mine  of  information  on  all  the  subjects  men- 
tioned. As  a  pioneer  in  the  field  which  has  since  been  filled 
with  intelligence  and  ability,  it  was  a  really  remarkable  produc- 
tion. In  a  summary  of  the  developments  of  the  year  1858,  it 
was  pointed  out  that  the  completion  of  the  Atlantic  cable,  the 
negotiation  of  treaties  with  China,  Siam,  and  Japan,  and  the 
rapid  recovery  of  values  from  the  revulsion  of  1857,  united  to 
make  1858  an  important  era  in  the  commercial  history  of  the 
United  States. 

In  fact,  the  psychological  moment  for  a  publication  of  this 
kind  had  arrived,  and  the  members  of  the  Chamber,  animated 
as  always  by  an  intelligent  and  vigilant  devotion  to  the  public 
interest,  were  prompt  to  recognize  it.  If  the  year  1858 
marked  an  era  in  the  commercial  history  of  the  coimtry,  it 
marked  one  also  in  the  history  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce, 


70  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

for  as  an  organization  it  placed  itself  on  an  enduring  founda- 
tion and  advanced  to  a  wider  field  of  usefulness  than  it  had 
ever  known.  Its  membership  at  this  time  was  five  hundred 
and  fifty. 


CHAPTER  XV 
THE  CIVIL  WAR 

PROMPT  ACTION   OF   THE  CHAMBER  IN   SUPPORTING  THE 
GOVERNMENT  AND  THE  NATIONAL  CREDIT 

1861 

When  the  news  of  the  firing  upon  Fort  Sumter  came  in 
April,  1861,  the  Chamber  did  not  hesitate  a  second  as  to  its 
duty  in  the  crisis.  A  special  meeting  was  called  on  April 
19,  the  day  on  which  President  Lincoln  issued  his  proclama- 
tion declaring  the  ports  of  Southern  States  to  be  in  a  state  of 
blockade,  and  the  attendance  was  "large  and  enthusiastic." 
The  key-note  of  the  gathering  was  sounded  by  the  President  of 
the  Chamber,  Pelatiah  Perit,  in  a  brief  speech  which  deserves 
and  holds  high  rank  among  the  patriotic  American  utterances 
of  all  time.  It  is  reproduced  here  in  full,  as  an  enduring  honor 
to  its  author  and  to  the  body  over  which  he  was  presiding: 

We  are  assembled  to-day  in  special  meeting,  at  the  written 
request  of  many  of  our  members,  according  to  the  requirements  of 
our  by-laws.  It  has  been  the  habit  of  this  Board  not  to  inter- 
meddle with  the  political  questions  which  agitate  the  country; 
but  there  are  occasions  on  which  the  ordinary  rules  of  proceed- 
ings must  give  way  to  peculiar  emergencies,  and  such  an  occasion 
has  arisen  to-day.  The  nation  has,  in  the  course  of  events  sudden 
and  unexpected,  reached  a  crisis  unprecedented  in  our  history, 
when  the  safety  of  the  government  is  threatened,  and  when  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  compelled  by  this  alarming  state 
of  things,  has  called  on  the  citizens  to  rally  to  the  defence  of  the 
government.  As  an  influential  body  of  men  in  this  commercial 
centre,  we  are  bound  to  respond  heartily  to  this  call.    I  trust, 

71 


72  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

gentlemen,  that  in  the  discussion  of  this  morning,  we  shall  forget 
aU  party  distinction,  and,  with  unanimity  and  warm  hearts,  rally 
in  support  of  a  constitution  and  government  the  best  in  the  world, 
and  under  which  we  have  lived  and  prospered  since  the  close  of 
the  Revolutionary  war.  All  which  has  been  ours  in  time  past,  and 
which  constitutes  our  hope  for  time  to  come,  is  at  stake.  Under 
the  specious  name  of  secession,  traitors  have  seized  the  public  prop- 
erty, have  attacked  the  national  forts,  and  are  now  threatening 
the  ^national  capital.  The  prime  of  our  young  men  are  marching 
to  its  defence.  Let  us  meet  the  crisis  like  patriots  and  men.  There 
can  be  no  neutrality  now — we  are  either  for  the  country  or  for  its 
enemies. 

A  series  of  resolutions  was  presented  in  which  it  was  de- 
clared that  the  Chamber  had  witnessed  "with  lively  satisfac- 
tion the  determination  to  maintain  the  constitution  and  vin- 
dicate the  supremacy  of  government  and  law  at  every  haz- 
ard"; that  the  so-called  secession  of  some  of  the  Southern 
States  having  at  last  culminated  in  open  war  against  the 
United  States,  "the  American  people  can  no  longer  defer  their 
decision  between  anarchy  and  despotism,  on  the  one  side, 
and  on  the  other  liberty,  order,  and  law,  under  the  most 
benign  government  the  world  has  ever  known";  that  "this 
Chamber,  forgetful  of  past  differences  of  political  opinion 
among  its  members,  will,  with  imanimity  and  patriotic  ardor, 
support  the  government  in  this  great  crisis,  and  it  hereby 
pledges  its  best  efiforts  to  sustain  its  credit  and  facilitate  its 
financial  operations";  and  that  "it  recommends  to  the 
government  the  instant  adoption  and  prosecution  of  a  policy 
so  vigorous  and  resistless  that  it  will  crush  out  treason  now 
and  forever." 

The  members  left  no  doubt  as  to  their  sentiments,  for  they 
sprang  to  their  feet  and  adopted  the  resolutions  unanimously 
with  ringing  cheers. 

A  copy  of  the  resolutions  was  sent  to  President  Lincoln  and 
a  few  days  later  the  following  acknowledgment  was  received 
from  the  Secretary  of  State: 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  73 

Department  of  State,  Washington, 
26th  April,  1861. 

To  Pelatiah  Perit,  Esq.,  PresiderU  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
New  York  : 

Sir, — ^The  resolutions  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  concerning 
the  present  attitude  of  public  affairs,  although  sent  forward  so 
early  as  the  20th  inst.,  have,  in  consequence  of  postal  obstructions, 
only  just  now  reached  this  Department.  I  have  lost  no  time  in 
submitting  them  to  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

He  directs  me  to  assure  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  that  he  has 
read  the  resolutions  with  the  highest  appreciation  of  the  loyalty, 
patriotism  and  Hberality  of  that  body;  and  to  the  end,  that  they 
may  find  a  just  place  in  the  history  of  this,  the  most  important 
crisis,  save  one,  that  our  country  has  been  called  to  meet,  I  have 
deposited  the  resolutions  in  the  archives  of  the  government. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the  highest  respect, 
your  obedient  servant, 

William  H.  Seward. 

In  order  to  put  the  pledge  of  support  into  instant  action 
a  committee  was  app>ointed  to  procure  subscriptions  for  the 
balance  of  about  $8,000,000  which  remained  unsubscribed 
to  the  loan  of  $25,000,000  which  the  Government  had  au- 
thorized in  February,  1861.  Subscriptions  for  the  desired 
amoimt  were  made  and  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  was 
informed  that  this  sum  could  be  drawn  at  once. 

Another  committee  was  appointed  to  raise  funds  in  aid 
of  the  volunteers  of  the  city  and  their  families,  and  at  the 
next  meeting  in  May  this  committee  reported  that  they  had 
collected  $115,853,  of  which  $92,884  had  been  expended  for 
the  equipment  of  troops,  and  the  balance,  $22,969,  had  been 
transferred  to  the  treasurer  of  the  Union  Defense  Com- 
mittee. At  the  June  meeting  it  was  voted  that  a  suitable 
medal  be  struck  and  presented  to  each  of  the  oflScers  and  mem- 
bers of  the  garrison  under  command  of  Major  Anderson  at 
Fort  Sumter  and  Lieutenant  Slemmer  at  Fort  Pickens. 
Later  168  medals  were  distributed  at  a  cost  of  $1,500  which 


74  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

was  raised  by  subscription  among  the  members.  In  May, 
1862,  Major  Anderson,  who  had  been  promoted  to  General, 
attended  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Chamber  and  was  for- 
mally presented  with  a  medal. 

Jealous  as  ever  of  the  honor  of  the  nation,  the  Chamber  felt 
moved  at  its  meeting  in  August,  1861,  to  pass  the  following 
resolutions: 

Whereas,  The  government  of  the  United  States  is  engaged  in 
a  contest  for  the  suppression  of  rebellion,  and  for  the  maintenance 
of  the  integrity  of  the  Union  which  is  destined  to  make  a  large 
demand  upon  the  pecuniary  resources  of  the  country,  and  the 
demand  must  chiefly  be  met  by  means  of  repeated  loans; 

Resolved,  That,  in  the  judgment  of  this  Chamber,  the  success  of 
the  proposed  loans  will  depend  upon  the  enactment  of  Congress, 
now  in  session,  of  revenue  and  internal  tax  bills  adapted  to  the 
existing  emergency;  or  that,  if  the  government  should  succeed  in 
procuring  money  without  making  wise  provision  for  the  reim- 
bursement of  principal  and  interest,  it  will  be  upon  terms  dis- 
creditable to  the  national  name  and  prejudicial  to  the  national 
interest. 


CHAPTER  XVI 
REBUKE  TO  PACIFISTS 

LEGAL-TENDER  ISSUE  FAVORED — LETTERS  FROM    JOHN  BRIGHT 
AND  ADMIRAL  FARRAGUT 

1862-1863 

Perhaps  the  most  significant  utterance,  after  its  first  de- 
liverance in  April,  1861,  made  by  the  Chamber  in  the  first 
year  of  the  war,  occurred  in  September  following.  Peace 
talk  had  aroused  the  indignation  of  members,  and  the  voice 
of  the  Copperhead  had  begun  to  be  heard  in  the  land.  A 
series  of  resolutions,  admirably  designed  to  arouse  and  guide 
the  spirit  of  patriotism,  was  presented: 

Whereas f  The  progress  of  the  war  in  defence  of  the  Union  and 
Constitution  has  given  evidence  of  a  degree  of  strength  and  energy 
on  the  part  of  those  who  are  madly  striving  to  destroy  them, 
which  can  only  be  subdued  by  the  marshalling  of  an  overwhelm- 
ing force;  and  whereas,  it  is  evident  that  to  this  end  all  the  re- 
sources, both  in  men  and  means,  in  the  loyal  States,  will  be  needed, 
if  we  would  avoid  a  protracted  struggle  and  secure  the  blessings 
of  an  early,  honorable  and  enduring  peace;  and  whereas  humanity 
and  interest  alike  demand  the  speedy  attainment  of  this  end; 
therefore. 

Resolved,  That  this  Chamber,  in  view  of  the  imexpected  magni- 
tude of  the  contest,  deems  it  a  duty  to  renew  its  pledge  to  the 
government  of  earnest  sympathy  and  support. 

Resolved,  That  the  members  of  the  Chamber,  having  entire 
confidence  in  the  integrity  and  ability  of  the  head  of  the  Treasury 
Department,  v/ill  exert  their  best  efforts  individually  and  col- 
lectively, and  in  their  connections  with  moneyed  institutions,  to 
strengthen  the  financial  resources  and  credit  of  the  government. 

Resolved,  That  this  Chamber  pledges  to  the  government  its  un- 
faltering support  in  a  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war,  until  every 

75 


76  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

rebel  has  laid  down  his  arms,  and  every  State  returned  to  its 
allegiance.  The  contest,  it  believes,  admits  of  no  other  termina- 
tion, since  any  other  basis  of  peace  would  dishonor  the  nation, 
and  prove  to  the  world  that  our  cherished  form  of  popular  govern- 
ment is  a  failure. 

Resolved,  That  all  aid  afforded  to  the  enemy,  either  by  supply- 
ing means  of  prosecuting  the  war,  or  by  openly  advocating  tJieir 
cause,  is  treasonable,  and  should  be  promptly  punished  with  the 
utmost  rigor  of  the  law  and  by  the  stern  rebuke  of  public  opinion. 

Resolved,  That  the  decisive  course  recently  adopted  by  the 
government  and  its  commanding  officers,  affords  gratifying  proof 
that  the  future  of  this  contest  is  not  to  be  controlled  by  the  quixotic 
idea  of  prosecuting  war  in  the  spirit  of  peace,  but  that  the  guilty 
conspirators  will  be  made  to  feel,  both  in  their  persons  and  their 
property,  all  the  rigors  that  the  usage  of  civilized  warfare  will  jus- 
tify. 

In  February,  1862,  the  Chamber  came  again  to  the 
support  of  the  government  when  the  legal-tender  question 
was  under  discussion  by  adopting  the  following  resolutions 
by  acclamation: 

Resolved,  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Chamber,  the  present 
financial  condition  of  the  government,  and  of  the  country,  re- 
quires the  immediate  passage  of  the  bill  now  before  Congress, 
which  authorizes  the  issue  of  $100,000,000  United  States  notes, 
as  a  circulating  medium,  and  makes  said  notes,  witH  the  $50,- 
000,000  demand  notes  heretofore  issued,  a  legal  tender  in  pay- 
ment of  all  debts. 

Resolved,  That  the  merchants  of  New  York  will  sustain  the 
government,  by  all  the  means  within  their  power,  in  giving  credit 
and  currency  to  these  notes,  until  they  can  be  placed  on  a  specie 
basis  by  the  imposition  of  taxes  adequate  for  their  redemption. 

While  by  its  formal  action  as  a  society  the  Chamber  up- 
held the  government  in  all  its  war  measures,  the  members  of 
the  Chamber  as  individuals  and  citizens  joined  heartily  in  all 
popular  demonstrations  to  the  same  end.  Under  resolutions 
by  the  Chamber,  its  members  co-operated  with  other  organiza- 
tions in  a  great  mass-meeting  in  Union  Square  on  April  20, 


JOHN   BRIGHT. 
Painted  by  J.  Ftstuuii  in  1865.    Collection  of  the  Chamber  of  Coinmcn-e. 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  77 

1861,  and  in  another  in  the  same  place  on  July  15,  1862.  On 
both  occasions  speeches  were  made  and  resolutions  adopted 
pledging  the  fullest  support  to  the  government  in  men  and 
money,  and  urging  the  prosecution  of  the  war  relentlessly  till 
victory  was  won.  In  the  period  of  despondency  which  fol- 
lowed the  elections  in  the  fall  of  1862  the  Chamber  adhered 
undismayed  and  imqualifiedly  to  its  position  of  absolute 
loyalty.  Early  in  1863,  at  its  monthly  meeting  on  February 
5,  a  long  series  of  resolutions  was  adopted  on  the  state  of 
the  coimtry  which  left  no  doubt  in  any  one's  mind  as  to  the 
position  of  the  Chamber.  In  a  preamble  the  events  which 
had  led  to  the  war  were  reviewed,  the  results  of  the  first  two 
years  of  conflict  were  enumerated,  and  recognition  was  made 
of  the  fact  that  "there  is  manifest  at  the  present  time  in 
certain  quarters,  a  feeling  of  impatience  and  despondency  that 
is  imworthy  of  a  brave  people  and  wholly  imwarranted  by 
the  existing  condition  of  public  affairs."  Among  the  resolu- 
tions were  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  at  this  interesting  juncture,  it  behooves  loyal 
citizens  of  New  York  to  contemplate  anew  the  work  which,  in  the 
providence  of  God,  it  is  given  them  to  do;  that  it  becomes  wise 
men  to  look  calmly  and  brave  men  to  look  hopefully  toward  the 
issue  of  the  existing  struggle. 

Resolved,  That  as  it  is  a  Christian  duty  to  respect  and  obey, 
so  it  is  the  patriot's  duty  to  honor  and  uphold  "the  powers  that 
be" — to  lighten  the  burdens  that  devolve  on  the  Executive  and 
Heads  of  Departments,  disproportioned  as  they  are  to  human 
strength,  and  it  is  not  a  loyal  part  to  aggravate  these  burdens  by 
the  voice  of  unnecessary  and  injurious  complaint. 

Resolved,  further.  That  the  spirit  of  party  which  stifles  love  of 
country,  is  too  manifest  at  the  present  time,  and  through  the 
divisions  it  creates,  and  the  animosities  it  awakens,  is  to  be  feared 
and  deprecated  as  the  ally  of  rebellion,  and  it  should  be  rebuked, 
discouraged  and  banished  from  our  midst. 

A  proceeding  of  historical  interest  took  place  at  the  regular 
meeting  of  the  Chamber  on  March  6,  1862.    Mention  was 


78  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

made  of  the  services  of  John  Bright  in  championing  the  Union 
cause  in  England  and  the  following  resolutions  were  unani- 
mously and  enthusiastically  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New 
York  does  hereby  record  its  grateful  sense  of  the  intelligent,  elo- 
quent, just  and  fearless  manner  in  which  Mr.  John  Bright  of 
Birmingham,  has  advocated,  before  the  people  of  England  and  in 
the  British  parHament,  the  principles  of  Constitutional  hberty 
and  international  justice  for  which  the  American  people  are  con- 
tending. 

Resolved,  That  these  proceedings  be  communicated  to  Mr. 
Bright  and  pubHshed. 

The  action  of  the  Chamber  was  communicated  to  Mr. 
Bright  and  in  due  course  the  subjoined  interesting  and  valu- 
able letter  was  received  from  him  in  April,  1862: 

London,  April  4. 

Dear  Sir, — I  have  received,  through  the  hands  of  the  Hon. 
Mr.  Adams,  the  minister  of  the  United  States,  your  letter  of  the 
8th  of  March,  and  the  resolution  unanimously  adopted  by  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New  York  on  the  6th  of 
March.  I  wish  you  to  convey  to  the  eminent  body  of  gentiemen 
over  whom  you  preside,  the  expression  of  my  sense  of  the  honor 
they  have  conferred  upon  me,  and  of  the  pleasure  which  it  gives 
me  to  know  that  the  course  I  have  taken  in  reference  to  the  events 
which  are  now  passing  in  your  country  has  met  with  the  warm 
approval  of  those  whom  they  represent.  I  accept  their  most  kind 
resolution,  not  only  as  honorable  to  myself,  but  as  a  manifestation 
of  friendly  feeUng  to  the  great  majority  of  my  countrymen,  whose 
true  sentiments  I  beUeve  I  have  not  mistaken  or  misrepresented, 
when  I  have  spoken  on  the  side  of  your  government  and  people. 

I  beUeve  there  is  no  other  country  in  which  the  men  have  been 
so  free  and  so  prosperous  as  in  yours,  and  that  there  is  no  other 
poUtical  constitution  now  in  existence  in  the  preservation  of  which 
the  human  race  is  so  deeply  interested  as  in  that  under  which  you 
live.  This  is  true,  beyond  all  doubt,  when  appUed  to  the  free 
States  of  your  Union.  I  trust  the  time  is  not  distant  when  it  will 
be  true  over  all  your  vast  territory,  from  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS  79 

Gulf  of  Mexico.  Notwithstanding  much  misapprehension,  and 
some  recent  excitement,  I  am  sure  that  an  overwhelming  majority 
of  the  people  of  the  United  Kingdom  will  rejoice  at  the  success  of 
your  government  and  at  the  complete  restoration  of  your  Union. 
While  asking  you  to  convey  the  expression  of  my  grateful  feelings 
to  the  members  of  your  Chamber,  I  desire  to  tender  to  you  my 
thanks  for  the  very  kind  letter  from  yourself  which  accompanied 
the  resolution. 
I  am,  with  very  great  respect,  very  truly  yours, 

John  Bright. 
To  P.  Perit,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the 
State  of  New  York. 

When  in  March,  1863,  the  news  of  Farragut's  famous  vic- 
tory on  the  Mississippi  reached  the  Chamber  a  series  of 
resolutions  was  passed  amid  great  enthusiasm,  extolling  the 
admirars  skill,  gallantry,  and  perseverance;  declaring  that 
he  had  "achieved  one  of  the  most  celebrated  victories  of  any 
time;  had  added  a  new  and  lustrous  page  to  the  naval  history 
of  the  United  States,  and  proved  himself  the  worthy  peer  of 
those  earlier  heroes  of  the  republic  who  shrank  from  no  ob- 
stacle"; that  "in  the  progress  of  the  war  for  the  unity  and 
life  of  this  great  nation  no  services  have  been  more  eminent" 
than  his,  and  that  "this  Chamber  watches  with  profound  in- 
terest the  course  of  the  admiral  and  will  hail  with  joy  and 
hope  the  day  when,  at  the  head  of  some  noble  squadron,  he 
may  again  lead  the  victorious  navy  to  the  restoration  of  other 
cities  to  the  national  rule." 

An  engrossed  copy  of  the  resolutions  was  sent  to  the  ad- 
miral, who  in  reply  transmitted  the  following  letter  which  is 
one  of  the  most  highly  prized  historical  documents  in  the 
archives  of  the  Chamber: 

AsTOR  House,  New  York,  December  16,  1863. 
John  Austin  Stevens,  Esq.,  Secretary  of  Chamber  of  Commerce: 

Sir, — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  resolu- 
tions of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New  York,  in 
relation  to  myself,  handsomely  engrossed  on  parchment,  accom- 


Bo  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

panied  by  your  kind  letter,  fulfilling  the  requirements  of  said  reso- 
lutions in  presenting  the  copy. 

In  reply,  I  beg  you,  sir,  to  express  to  that  honorable  body  my 
sincere  thanks  for  this,  and  other  distinguished  marks  of  their 
high  appreciation  of  the  services  I  have  rendered  our  common  coun- 
try, and  particularly  its  conmaerce,  both  internal  and  external, 
by  what  they  are  pleased  to  consider  "one  of  the  most  celebrated 
achievements  of  any  time — the  capture  of  New  Orleans." 

That  we  did  our  duty  to  the  best  of  our  ability  I  believe;  that  a 
kind  Providence  smiled  upon  us,  and  enabled  us  to  overcome 
obstacles  before  which,  I  fear,  the  stoutest  of  our  hearts  would 
have  otherwise  quailed,  I  am  certain;  and  I  trust  that  the  recipient 
of  these  honors  will  ever  remember  the  injunction  of  the  poet: 

If  thou  hast  strength, 

From  Heaven  that  strength's  bestowed; 

For  know,  vain  man,  that  valor  belongs  to  God: 

'Tis  man's  to  fight, 

But  God's  to  give  success. 

Being  on  the  eve  of  departing  for  my  station,  I  fully  feel,  and 
shall  gratefully  cherish,  their  kind  sentiments  of  interest  and  hope 
for  the  success  of  the  fleet  which  I  have  the  honor  to  command; 
and  that  those  hopes  may  be  realized  is  the  prayer  of  your  obedient 
servant, 

D.  G.  Farragut, 

Rear  Admiral  U.  S.  Navy. 


CHAPTER  XVn 

"ALABAMA"  ACTS  CONDEMNED 

a  campaign  of  education  in  the  case — rewards  for  the 
vessel's  captors 

1863-1864 

A  PUBLIC  service,  peculiarly  within  its  functions  as  a  com- 
mercial body,  was  performed  by  the  Chamber  in  1862  and  1863. 
Repeatedly  during  those  years  it  made  vigorous  protests 
agaiQSt  the  action  of  Great  Britain  in  allowing  the  Alabama 
and  other  Confederate  piratical  craft  to  be  fitted  out  in 
British  ports  in  order  to  prey  upon  Northern  vessels. 
In  October,  1862,  a  series  of  resolutions  was  adopted,  de- 
nouncing the  conduct  of  Captain  Semmes  of  the  Alabama 
in  burning  Northern  ships  at  sea,  warning  the  merchants  of 
Great  Britain  that  the  "repetition  of  such  acts  could  not  fail 
to  produce  wide-spread  exasperation  in  this  coimtry,"  and  de- 
claring it  to  be  the  "desire  of  this  Chamber,  as  it  is  the  inter- 
est of  all  its  members,  to  cherish  sentiments  of  amity  with  the 
people  of  Great  Britain,  to  maintain  those  cordial  relations 
which  have  led  to  profitable  intercourse,  and  to  strengthen 
the  ties  that  knit  them  together  in  mutual  courtesy  and 
respect." 

In  January,  1863,  a  special  committee  which  had  been 

appointed  to  consider  the  subject,  made  a  report  in  which 

the  action  of  the  previous  year  was  recalled,  the  various  acts 

of  piracy  by  the  Alabama  and  the  Florida  were  described,  and 

the  following  recommendation  was  made:    "In  conclusion, 

your  committee  believe  it  is  best  at  the  present  time,  that  the 

action  of  this  Chamber  should  be  limited  to  a  statement  of 

facts,  as  they  bear  upon  a  gigantic  wrong  to  our  country  and 

its  commerce,  so  that  public  opinion  throughout  the  world 

8x 


82  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

may  be  directed  to  the  import  of  these  facts  and  the  dangers 
they  involve,  in  the  hope,  too,  that  by  this  means  the  wrong 
may  be  repaired  and  the  danger  averted." 

Several  attempts  were  made  later,  when  the  news  of  the 
destruction  of  other  vessels  arrived,  to  induce  the  Chamber 
to  take  more  aggressive  action,  but  without  success.  The 
Chamber  adhered  to  its  policy  of  stating  the  facts  and  resting 
there.  There  was  no  timidity,  however,  in  the  manner  in 
which  the  facts  were  stated.  At  a  meeting  on  March  5, 
1863,  when  the  question  was  brought  up  again,  Abiel  A.  Low 
expressed  the  general  feeling  among  the  members  by  saying: 

This  constant  burning  of  our  vessels  by  ships  manned  and  built 
in  Great  Britain  is  a  wrong  which  cannot  be  tolerated.  It  tends  to 
war.  We  may  disguise  it  as  we  please,  but  that  is  its  tendency. 
It  is  time  for  Great  Britain  to  consider  that,  if  it  takes  all  the 
vessels  of  our  navy  to  arrest  the  ravages  of  the  Alabama  and 
the  Oreto,  how  many  of  the  ships  of  the  navy  of  Great  Britain 
it  would  take  to  arrest  the  destructiveness  of  privateers  which 
would  be  fitted  out  in  this  country,  in  case  of  war.  England  may 
believe  that  our  country  is  tried  to  the  extent  of  all  its  energies  in 
suppressing  the  rebellion,  but  there  may  be  a  mistake  upon  that 
subject.  The  United  States  are  able  to  put  down  the  rebellion, 
and,  beyond  suppressing  the  rebellion,  to  vindicate  the  character 
of  the  nation  against  any  and  all  people  who  invade  their  rights. 

Letters  were  written  by  order  of  the  Chamber  to  the  Presi- 
dent and  Secretary  of  the  Navy  and  also  to  the  Chambers 
of  Conunerce  in  Liverpool  and  Glasgow  setting  forth  the  facts 
in  the  case.  The  President  of  the  Liverpool  Chamber  replied, 
enclosing  an  order  passed  by  that  body  substantially  con- 
curring in  the  American  view,  and  saying  that  he  was  requested 
also  by  the  members  of  that  body  "to  convey  an  expression  of 
the  regret  they  feel  that  the  injuries  which  form  the  subject  of 
your  communications,  and  which  have  been  done  to  the 
commerce  of  a  friendly  nation  as  well  as  to  our  own,  should 
have  been  inflicted  by  a  vessel  built  in  England."    The  Glas- 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  83 

gow  Chamber  expressed  cordial  agreement  with  the  New 
York  Chamber's  sentiments  in  favor  of  international  unity, 
and  added  that  questions  of  international  law  involved  in  the 
matter,  being  of  the  most  delicate  character,  fell  within  the 
province  of  Her  Majesty's  Government  in  whose  justice  and 
wisdom  the  Chamber  had  full  confidence. 

In  its  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  July  23,  1863, 
the  Chamber  said  that  one  hundred  and  fifty  vessels,  including 
two  steamers,  representing  a  tonnage  of  upward  of  sixty 
thousand  tons,  and  a  value  exceeding  twelve  million  dollars, 
had  been  destroyed  by  the  rebel  privateers  up  to  that  time. 
The  Secretary,  Gideon  Welles,  replied  briefly,  saying  that 
"measures  have  been  taken  to  protect  our  commerce,  and 
steamers  have  already  been  distributed  over  the  tracks  in- 
dicated in  the  memorial"  which  the  Chamber  had  sent  to  him. 

Nothing  more  upon  the  subject  appears  in  the  minutes  of 
the  Chamber  till  about  a  year  later,  when  it  is  recorded,  on 
July  7, 1864,  that  a  member  called  the  attention  of  the  Cham- 
ber to  the  services  rendered  to  commerce  by  Captain  John  A. 
Winslow,  the  officers  and  crew  of  the  United  States  sloop  of 
war  Kearsarge  in  the  destruction  of  the  steamer  Alabama, 
and  moved  that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  report  to  the 
Chamber  in  what  manner  it  should  express  its  appreciation 
of  their  gallantry  and  service  to  the  shipping  and  commercial 
interests  of  the  country.  This  proposal  was  received  with  en- 
thusiasm, a  committee  was  appointed,  and  on  October  8  it 
made  a  report,  submitting  a  draft  of  a  letter  to  be  addressed 
to  Captain  Winslow  and  his  associates,  and  recommending 
that  the  sum  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  be  raised  for  the 
purchase  of  medals  or  other  testimonials  which  it  might  be 
deemed  proper  for  the  Chamber  to  present  to  them  as  proof 
of  high  appreciation  and  as  tokens  by  which  "an  event  of 
great  interest  in  the  naval  history  of  the  country  may  be 
kept  in  lasting  and  honored  remembrance." 

The  Chamber  adopted  the  report  with  its  letter  and  recom- 


84  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

mendation,  and  forwarded  an  engrossed  copy  of  the  letter  to 
Captain  Winslow.  The  letter,  which  is  too  long  to  quote  in 
full,  reviewed  the  history  of  the  Alabama  and  Great  Britain's 
connection  with  it,  reiterating  its  frequently  expressed  views 
thereon,  and  added: 

The  Chamber  is  heartily  glad  that  the  Kearsarge  under  your 
command,  has  sent  this  pest  of  the  ocean  to  her  merited  doom, 
and  would  that  all  the  bad  feelings  she  engendered  had  gone  down 
with  her ! 

The  conflict  between  the  Kearsarge  and  Alabama  affords  other 
grounds  of  satisfaction.  It  marks  a  new  epoch  in  naval  war- 
fare, and  adds  a  brilliant  page  to  the  naval  history  of  the  nation. 

This  Chamber  would  recognize  the  skill,  coolness  and  intrepidity 
with  which  the  Kearsarge  was  manoeuvred  in  the  combat  with 
her  formidable  foe,  and  takes  pleasure  in  making  this  record  of  the 
event  in  its  book  of  minutes. 

Captain  Winslow  sent  a  modest  letter  of  thanks  in  reply  in 
which  he  said:  "The  destruction  of  the  Alabama  is  an  event 
which  I  do  not  ajffect  to  say,  under  the  attending  circum- 
stances, was  of  great  importance  in  influencing  our  foreign  rela- 
tions at  the  time,  aside  from  the  benefit  derived  from  ridding 
the  ocean  of  the  most  destructive  pest  upon  our  commerce." 

The  committee  charged  with  deciding  upon  the  form  which 
the  testimonial  was  to  take  concluded  to  divide  the  fund 
among  the  captain,  officers,  and  crew  in  the  same  manner 
that  prize-money  is  divided.  They  had  little  difficulty  in  rais- 
ing twenty-five  thousand  dollars,  which  they  apportioned  as 
follows:  Captain  Winslow,  ten  thousand  dollars;  officers, 
ten  thousand  dollars;  crew,  five  thousand  dollars.  The  com- 
mittee paid  a  personal  visit  to  Captain  Winslow,  whom  they 
found  to  be,  according  to  their  report,  "as  urbane  as  a  gentle- 
man as  he  is  gallant  as  a  sailor,  and  in  their  agreeable  inter- 
view were  pleasantly  reminded  of  the  truth  of  the  old  asser- 
tion, that  the  greatest  courage  is  most  often  allied  to  the  most 
gentle  demeanor." 


ADMIRAL  DAVID  G.  FARRAGUT.  U.  S.  N. 

From  a  painting  by  Thomas  W.  Wood.    Collection  o(  the  Chamber  of  Cotnmefcei 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  85 

A  full  report  of  all  the  acts  of  the  Chamber  in  this  interest- 
ing historical  incident,  together  with  the  correspondence  with 
Captain  Winslow,  the  names  of  the  subscribers  to  the  twenty- 
five-thousand-dollar  fund  with  the  amount  given  by  each, 
and  the  names  of  all  the  recipients,  is  published  in  the  Appen- 
dix of  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Chamber  of  1864-1865. 

The  Chamber  had  excellent  reasons  for  pride  in  its  course 
during  this  critical  period.  Its  persistent  agitation  of  the 
matter,  its  forcible  and  fearless  statements  of  the  nature  of 
the  offense  committed  by  Great  Britain  in  connection  with 
the  Alabama  and  its  fellow  privateers,  and  its  patriotic  course 
in  confining  its  efforts  to  a  plain  statement  of  facts,  trusting 
public  opiuion  to  recognize  the  merits  of  the  case,  all  combined 
to  secure  a  just  solution  of  a  question  of  vital  importance  to 
both  countries.  The  justice  and  sound  law  of  their  whole 
conduct  in  the  affair  were  demonstrated  conclusively  many 
years  later  in  the  verdict  of  fifteen  million  five  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars  on  the  Alabama  claims,  awarded  to  the  United 
States  by  the  Geneva  Tribunal  in  1872.  Joseph  H.  Choate 
said  of  this:  "I  believe  it  to  have  been  the  largest  pecuniary 
award  ever  rendered  in  such  an  arbitration." 

Another  subject  which  the  Chamber  kept  constantly  in 
mind  during  this  period  was  the  proper  defense  of  the  harbor. 
It  sent  memorial  after  memorial  about  it  to  the  President, 
to  Congress,  to  the  State  Legislature,  and  to  the  City  Coimcil. 
The  Legislature,  in  the  winter  of  186  2-1 863,  appropriated  a 
million  dollars  for  the  purpose,  and  such  progress  had  been 
made  that  a  report  to  the  Chamber,  on  October  i,  1863,  by  the 
chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Harbor  Defenses,  pronounced 
the  defenses,  on  the  authority  of  Colonel  Richard  Delafield  of 
the  United  States  Engineers,  to  be  "in  a  satisfactory  and  im- 
proving condition"  and  that  there  was  "no  cause  for  any 
anxiety  in  the  public  mind  as  to  the  ability  of  New  York  to 
defend  herself  against  any  attack  whatever." 


CHAPTER  XVin 
END  OF  THE  WAR 

SURRENDER  OF  LEE — DEATH  OF  LINCOLN — DELEGATION  TO  THE 

FUNERAL — GRATEFUL   LETTER   FROM   SECRETARY   SEWARD 

— CENTENNIAL  ANNIVERSARY  OF  THE  CHAMBER 

1865-1868 

The  news  of  the  surrender  of  Lee  arrived  when  the  Cham- 
ber was  in  session  on  April  10,  1865.  It  was  voted  that  in 
view  of  the  "glorious  news"  the  regular  order  of  business  be 
suspended,  and  the  members  devoted  themselves  to  the  prep- 
aration of  formal  expressions  of  rejoicing.  A  series  of  resolu- 
tions was  adopted  by  acclamation  in  which,  with  justifiable 
pride,  it  was  recalled  that  the  Chamber  at  the  outbreak  of 
the  rebellion  had  solemnly  pledged  to  the  support  of  the 
government  the  vast  resources  of  this  commercial  community 
and  had  since,  at  each  and  every  time,  when  the  credit  or 
honor  of  the  nation  had  been  in  danger,  renewed  that  pledge. 
The  following  declarations  were  added: 

'Resolved,  That  with  reverence  and  thankfulness  to  Almighty 
God,  "Who  hath  given  us  the  victory,"  this  Chamber  propose  to 
imite  with  their  fellow-citizens  in  celebrating  the  triumphs  of 
our  arms,  both  on  sea  and  land,  which  have  restored  the  national 
unity,  vindicated  the  right  and  power  of  the  General  Government, 
and  shown  to  a  doubting  world  that  we  have  a  country  worthy  of 
preservation,  and  which  we  are  able  and  willing  to  preserve. 

Resolved,  That  our  thanks  are  tendered  to  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  his  official  advisers,  and  the  officers,  soldiers  and 
sailors  of  our  army  and  navy,  from  General  Grant  to  the  smallest 
dnunmer  boy. 

Resolved,  That  while  rejoicing,  we  must  not  forget  the  afflicted 

86 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  87 

who  mourn  for  the  loss  of  relatives  and  friends  who  have  fallen 
dead  or  wounded  in  this  great  struggle  for  freedom  and  law,  and 
we  tender  to  them  our  most  earnest  sympathies. 

It  was  also  resolved  to  accept  an  invitation,  received  from 
the  Common  Council,  to  Join  "in  one  grand  and  patriotic 
jubilee,"  on  April  20,  the  day  fixed  by  the  Governor  of  the  State 
for  such  a  celebration.  An  additional  resolution  was  also 
adopted,  expressing  the  opinion  that  the  rebellion  had  been 
unduly  prolonged  during  the  last  two  years  mainly  by  the 
recognition  given  to  it  by  the  Continental  powers  of  Europe, 
and  adding: 

Resolvedf  That  the  thanks  of  the  American  people  are  due  to 
the  great  masses  in  Europe  who,  since  the  origin  of  our  imjusti- 
fiable  rebellion,  have  sympathized  with  the  success  of  the  consti- 
tutional cause — the  triumph  of  which  is  assured  by  the  series  of 
great  events  which  have  just  taken  place  imder  the  transcendent 
genius  and  skill  of  Lieutenant-General  Grant,  and  the  patriotic 
co-operation  of  Generals  Sherman,  Sheridan,  and  others  imder 
his  command;  and  we  assure  them  that  the  United  States,  in  the 
future  as  in  the  past,  will  furnish  a  home  and  afford  protection  to 
all  who  recognize  constitutional  representative  government  as 
the  best  organization  known  among  men  for  the  promotion  of 
individual,  dvil,  religious  and  political  liberty. 

An  adjournment  was  taken  till  April  15,  and  in  the  min- 
utes of  that  meeting  appears  simply  this  entry  in  a  heavy  black 
border: 


News  was  received  this  day  of  the  Assassination  of 
Abraham  Lincoln,  President  of  the  United  States,  last 
evening,  14th  April,  1865. 


No  business  was   transacted,   and   an   adjournment  was 
taken  till  April  22,  when  the  following  was  adopted: 


SS  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 


m  MEMORIAM 

The  death  of  Abraham  Lincohi,  late  President  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  on  Saturday,  the  15th  day  of  April,  instant, 
by  its  suddenness  and  attendant  circumstances,  overwhelming 
the  people  of  the  whole  land  with  a  feeling  of  profound  grief,  this 
Chamber  deems  it  proper,  in  assembling  at  the  present  time,  to 
make  record  on  its  book  of  minutes  of  the  loss  sustained  by  the 
nation  at  a  very  important  juncture  in  its  affairs — a  loss,  the  mag- 
nitude of  which  is  made  manifest  in  the  most  wide-spread  demon- 
strations of  sorrow,  by  the  suspension  of  business  for  the  space  of 
six  days,  dining  which  our  fellow-citizens  have  voluntarily  with- 
drawn from  their  customary  secular  avocations,  on  Wednesday 
and  Thursday,  the  i8th  and  19th  instants,  in  obedience  to  the 
proclamation  of  the  civil  authorities,  closing  their  places  of  business, 
and  resorting  very  generally  to  houses  of  public  worship  in  a  spirit 
of  humiliation  and  prayer. 

The  whole  city  draped  in  mourning  testifies,  as  no  language  can,' 
to  the  imiversal  sentiment — that  a  great  and  good  man  has  de- 
parted this  life.  Sharing  deeply  in  the  nation's  grief,  and  feeling 
deeply  the  greatness  of  the  nation's  loss,  it  is  hereby 

Resolved,  That  this  Chamber  will  earnestly  co-operate  in  any 
measure  that  may  be  suggested  by  the  city  authorities  to  receive 
and  attend,  with  due  respect,  the  remains  of  the  late  President  of 
the  United  States  in  their  passage  through  this  city,  on  Monday 
and  Tuesday  next. 

Resolved,  That  this  Chamber  will  cherish  and  honor  the  mem- 
ory of  Abraham  Lincoln  as  of  one  who  was  wise  in  council,  and 
remarkable  for  his  singleness  of  purpose;  in  practical  good  sense, 
upright  aim  and  devotedness  of  life,  resembling  the  immortal 
Washington;  who,  throughout  four  years  of  civil  war,  so  conducted 
and  gmded  the  administration  of  pubUc  affairs,  as  to  lead  up  the 
minds  of  our  people  to  a  higher  and  still  higher  estimate  of  his 
character  for  sagacity  combined  with  the  utmost  simplicity,  for 
firmness  tempered  by  moderation,  for  justice  allied  with  a  spirit 
of  conciliation,  and  that  in  death  all  parties  are  united  in  his 
praise,  and  vie  with  each  other  in  their  undivided  homage;  of  whom 
it  may  be  justly  said,  that  if  not  first  in  war  in  his  day  and  genera- 
tion, he  was  "  first  in  peace  and  first  in  the  hearts  of  his  country- 
men." 

In  testimony  whereof,  this  Chamber  orders  that  the  foregoing 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS  89 

be  entered  at  length  on  its  book  of  records,  and  that  a  copy  of  the 
same  be  sent  to  the  family  of  the  deceased,  with  whom  it  is  a  nation's 
privilege  to  sympathize  and  mourn  as  for  a  common  and  irreparable 
loss. 

It  was  voted  to  accept  the  invitation  of  the  city  authorities 
to  join  in  the  funeral  ceremonies  of  the  late  President,  which 
were  to  be  held  in  Union  Square,  on  April  25,  and  to  take 
part  as  a  body  in  the  civic  procession  which  was  to  follow. 

A  committee  of  thirteen  members  that  had  been  appointed 
to  represent  the  Chamber  at  the  funeral  ceremonies  in  Wash- 
ington, on  April  19,  presented  a  report  from  which  the  ap- 
pended extracts  are  reproduced  here  as  being  of  permanent 
historical  interest: 

Impressed  with  the  necessity  of  strengthening  the  Government 
by  all  possible  means  at  this  critical  juncture  in  our  public  affairs, 
your  committee  called  on  his  Excellency,  the  present  Chief  Magis- 
trate, and  assured  him,  in  the  name  of  the  Chamber,  that  the  same 
hearty,  persistent,  unbroken  and  vigorous  support  which  had  al- 
ways been  given  to  President  Lincoln  wovild  continue  to  be  extended 
to  him,  thus  suddenly  called  to  the  discharge  of  such  important 
trusts  at  so  critical  a  period  and  under  circumstances  so  grave  and 
unexpected;  expressing  to  him  at  the  same  time  their  entire  con- 
fidence that  the  destinies  of  the  people  would  be  safe  in  his  keeping, 
and  imploring  for  him  the  strengthening  hand  of  a  beneficent 
Providence. 

The  President,  in  response,  assured  your  committee  that  he 
felt  under  great  obligations  for  your  encouragement  and  support. 
"For,"  said  he,  "in  the  emergencies  that  surround  me,  I  need  en- 
couragement and  strength.  I  am  not  at  this  moment  prepared 
to  enter  on  any  explanation  of  my  future  policy.  Since  my  en- 
trance into  political  life,  I  have  been  somewhat  actively  engaged 
in  public  affairs,  and  to  the  history  of  my  past  acts  I  refer  for  those 
principles  which  have  governed  me  heretofore  and  which  will 
guide  me  hereafter.  By  a  dispensation  of  Providence,  as  appalling 
as  imexpected,  I  am  forced  to  assume  great  responsibihties,  and 
no  one  can  foresee  the  circumstances  that  will  hereafter  arise. 

"I  shall,  however,  regard  myself  the  humble  instrument  of 
the  American  people,  and,  as  their  representative,  endeavor  to 


90  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

maintain  the  principles  of  public  justice,  which  accord  with  public 
morals  and  the  best  interests  of  the  coimtry.  One  great  truth 
should  be  engraven  on  all  hearts — treason  is  a  crime,  and  traitors 
should  be  duly  punished.  I  can  only  assure  you,  gentlemen,  and 
the  intelligent  and  patriotic  body  you  represent,  that  my  adminis- 
tration will  be  based  on  the  Constitution  and  the  laws;  and,  as 
events  arise,  I  shall  endeavor  to  meet  them  to  the  utmost  of  my 
ability,  trusting  in  the  assistance  of  that  Providence  which  has 
hitherto  guarded  and  preserved  our  republican  institutions." 

While  this  committee  was  in  Washington  it  addressed  a 
copy  of  the  Chamber's  resolutions  to  Secretary  Seward,  and 
several  weeks  later  the  following  letter  was  received  from  him, 
marked  "unofficial": 

Department  of  State 

Washington,  Aug.  27,  1865. 
Having  become  so  far  convalescent  as  to  be  permitted  to  in- 
form myself  of  incidents  which  occurred  during  the  early  stages  of 
my  illness,  I  have  today  for  the  first  time  come  to  the  knowledge  of 
the  resolutions  which  you  had  the  kindness  to  address  to  me  on  the 
19th  of  April  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 
of  the  State  of  New  York. 

There  are  no  words  in  which  I  could  adequately  express  the 
sense  I  entertain  of  the  kindness  which  has  been  shown  to  me  by 
my  fellow-citizens  generally  during  that  illness.  You  will,  there- 
fore, I  am  sure,  be  content  with  this  hasty  and  simple,  but  grateful 
acknowledgment  of  the  especial  kindness  which  is  manifested  in 
your  commimication,  and  you  will  be  pleased  to  convey  the 
acknowledgment  to  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 
With  grateful  and  affectionate  regard 

Your  obedient  servant 

(Signed)  William  H.  Seward. 

From  the  moment  that  the  war  was  ended  the  Chamber 
devoted  its  influence  imceasingly  to  the  restoration  of  friendly 
relations  between  the  two  sections  of  the  country.  In  May, 
1865,  a  series  of  resolutions  was  adopted,  pledging  renewed 
support  to  the  government;  expressing  the  hope  that  in  the 
restoration  of  complete  national  authority,  magnanimity  and 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  91 

clemency  would  be  shown  and  no  act  committed  which  could 
be  condemned  as  needlessly  harsh  or  revengeful  by  the  cool 
judgment  of  the  himiane  and  liberty-loving  in  any  part  of  the 
civilized  world,  and  declaring  that  the  Chamber  hailed  with 
peculiar  satisfaction  the  recent  order  of  the  President  to  "re- 
lieve the  loyal  citizens  and  well-disposed  persons  residing  in 
the  insurrectionary  states,  from  unnecessary  commercial 
restriction  and  to  encourage  them  to  return  to  peaceful  pur- 
suits," because,  in  its  opinion,  an  imrestricted  commercial 
intercourse  would  prove  to  be  the  most  powerful  agency 
which  could  henceforth  be  employed  for  restoring  peace  and 
prosperity  to  all  portions  of  our  common  country. 

The  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  founding  of  the 
Chamber  was  observed  by  a  pubHc  meeting  held  in  Irving 
Hall  on  April  6,  1868.  That  hall,  which  passed  out  of  ex- 
istence many  years  ago,  stood  at  the  southeast  comer  of 
Fifteenth  Street  and  Irving  Place.  It  was  decorated  for  the 
occasion  with  the  American  and  British  colors  and  the  flags 
of  the  city  and  State  of  New  York.  Portraits  of  Royal 
Governor  Colden,  of  John  Cruger,  first  President  of  the  Cham- 
ber, and  of  several  of  his  successors,  were  displayed  at  the 
back  of  the  platform.  A  large  audience  and  many  dis- 
tinguished guests,  including  the  Governor  and  Lieutenant- 
Governor  of  the  State,  the  Mayor  of  the  city,  officials  of  the 
National  Government,  and  consuls  of  foreign  governments, 
attended  the  exercises.  Addresses  were  made  by  William  E. 
Dodge,  President  of  the  Chamber,  who  presided,  A.  A.  Low, 
and  James  De  Peyster  Ogden,  former  Presidents,  George 
Opdyke,  first  Vice-President,  Jonathan  Sturges,  and  S.  B. 
Chittenden.  An  interesting  historical  sketch  of  the  cen- 
tury's history  of  the  Chamber  was  read  by  John  Austin 
Stevens,  Jr.,  who  was  for  six  years  the  Secretary  of  the  Cham- 
ber, and  the  historian  of  its  colonial  period.  A  full  report  of 
the  celebration,  with  the  addresses  in  full,  was  published  in 
the  Annual  Report  of  the  Chamber  for  1867-1868. 


CHAPTER  XIX 
EFFORTS  FOR  HONEST  GOVERNMENT 

COMMITTEE  OF  SEVENTY  AND  TWEED  RING  DEFEAT — SUPPORT 
OF  POLICE  INVESTIGATION — CHOLERA  SCARE 

1871-1894 

No  one  can  read  the  proceedings  of  the  Chamber  as  they 
are  recorded  in  the  annual  reports  without  being  deeply  im- 
pressed with  the  untiring  zeal  and  keen  intelligence  with  which 
its  members  sought  month  by  month  and  year  by  year  to  aid 
and  advance  the  interests  of  trade  and  commerce  by  securing 
improvements  in  the  harbor;  better  wharves  and  docks; 
better  lighting  of  the  channels  and  approaches;  desirable 
amendments  in  the  revenue,  quarantine,  warehouse,  custom- 
house and  similar  laws;  additional  safeguards  in  ocean  travel; 
better  life-saving  devices;  improvement  and  enlargement  of 
railway  and  canal  transportation;  in  short,  whatever  was 
needed  to  enhance  the  welfare  and  strengthen  the  fame  of 
the  city  as  the  first  commercial  metropolis  of  the  world.  Al- 
though not  always  immediately  successful  in  these  efiforts,  the 
records  show  that  perseverance  and  determination  almost  inva- 
riably won  in  the  end,  with  the  general  eflFect  not  only  of  widen- 
ing the  field  of  activity  but  placing  the  commercial  interests  of 
the  city  and  nation  on  a  sounder  and  more  creditable  basis. 

From  the  earhest  times  the  Chamber  steadily  maintained 

its  character  as  a  non-political  body,  but  while  doing  so  it 

was  ever  quick  to  recognize  the  advent  of  a  situation  in  the 

conduct  of  municipal  affairs  in  which  the  issue  rose  above 

partisanship  and  became  one  of  good  citizenship  without 

distinction  of  party.    An  issue  of  this  kind  arose  in  187 1  when 

the  righteous  indignation  of  the  city  was  aroused  by  the  ex- 

9a 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  93 

posure  of  the  Tweed  Ring  frauds  made  by  the  New  York  Times. 
When  the  incriminating  figures  were  published,  Mayor  Oakey 
Hall  wrote  an  adroit  letter  to  the  Chamber,  requesting  it  to 
appoint  a  committee  to  conduct  an  examination  of  the  public 
accounts  of  the  city  government  and  the  condition  of  the  city 
debt  and  make  a  report  which  should  be  a  refutation  of  the 
exposures  by  the  Times.  The  Chamber  indignantly  declined 
the  proposal  and  immediately  called  a  special  meeting  which 
resulted  in  the  organization  of  the  Committee  of  Seventy, 
composed  largely  of  members,  through  whose  guidance  the 
municipal  campaign  of  that  year  was  conducted  and  the  over- 
throw of  the  Tweed-Tammany  Ring  was  secured. 

In  like  manner,  when  in  1894  the  city  was  humiliated  and 
alarmed  by  the  misconduct  of  city  affairs,  especially  in  the 
Police  Department,  the  Chamber  took  the  lead  in  the  demand 
for  an  investigation  by  the  Legislature.  At  a  meeting  in  Janu- 
ary, it  app>ointed  a  special  conmiittee  to  represent  it  before 
the  Legislature  and  the  Constitutional  Convention  "with  re- 
gard to  any  laws  which  may  affect  the  good  government  of 
this  city  and  the  commercial  prosperity  of  the  State,"  and  to 
advocate  the  "separation  of  municipal  and  State  elections 
from  State  and  national  elections,"  and  a  single  head  for  the 
Police  Department.  At  the  same  time  it  declared  that,  "in 
the  opinion  of  this  Chamber,  there  should  be  a  thorough 
legislative  investigation  of  the  Police  Department." 

Li  response  to  this  declaration,  the  Legislature  appointed 
an  investigating  committee.  When  that  committee  began  to 
uncover  gross  abuses,  political  influences  at  Albany  combined 
to  put  an  end  to  the  inquiry,  and  they  induced  the  Governor 
to  veto  an  appropriation  providing  the  funds  necessary  to 
carry  it  on.  The  Chamber  came  at  once  to  the  rescue  and 
raised  a  fund  of  seventeen  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  to 
be  used  in  defraying  expenses  and  paying  counsel  fees.  The 
inquiry  was  continued  and  such  startling  revelations  were 
made  that  the  city  rose  in  wrath  at  the  following  election, 


94  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

overthrew  the  Tammany  government  and  substituted  for  it 
a  reform,  non-partisan  administration  with  William  L.  Strong 
as  Mayor.  Out  of  this  victory  came  the  selection  of  Colonel 
Waring  as  Street  Cleaning  Conmiissioner  and  the  inaugura- 
tion of  a  new  era  in  that  branch  of  city  administration  which 
has  continued  till  this  day. 

Another  and  no  less  beneficent  reform  was  accomplished  at 
this  time  through  the  leadership  of  the  Chamber.  The 
revelations  of  the  investigating  committee  had  shown  that 
many  of  the  police  justices  were  shamefully  incompetent  and 
corrupt.  The  Chamber  based  on  these  revelations  a  demand 
for  the  abolition  of  the  police-court  system  and  started  a  popu- 
lar agitation  which  resulted  in  the  abolition  of  those  courts 
and  the  substitution  of  City  Magistrate  Courts  in  their  place — 
a  reform  which  has  been  shown  in  many  years  of  practical 
operation  to  have  been  one  of  the  most  salutary  ever  achieved 
in  the  city's  history.  When  the  question  was  brought  before 
the  Chamber  for  action,  Charles  Stewart  Smith,  who  was 
for  many  years  its  President,  stated  the  attitude  of  the 
Chamber  in  matters  pertaining  to  municipal  affairs  with 
clearness  and  force  as  follows: 

We  are  here  in  the  interests  of  justice  and  righteousness;  we 
are  here  in  the  interest  of  the  poor,  the  despised  and  the  neglected, 
asking  that  they  should  all  have  an  equal  chance  before  the  law. 
Some  of  us  may  be  politicians,  some  of  us  may  be  partisans,  but 
after  quite  a  long  membership  in  this  Chamber,  and  having  been 
a  regular  attendant  upon  its  sessions,  I  wish  to  record  my  convic- 
tion that  the  politicians  and  partisans  in  this  Chamber  leave  politics 
and  partisanship  outside  the  door  when  they  enter  here. 

When  Governor  Tilden  began  his  exposure  of  Canal  Ring 
frauds  in  1875,  the  Chamber  came  at  once  to  his  support, 
adopting,  on  April  i,  a  series  of  resolutions  in  which  it  was 
declared  that  the  Governor,  "true  to  his  honorable  record 
against  the  fraudulent  ring  ojficials  of  this  city,  has  now 


O     ■S 


1-5    i" 


^  .1 

I  •= 

>^  o 

-  1) 

<  «« 

>•? 

H  E 

U 


^    a 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  95 

placed  the  citizens  of  our  whole  State  under  lasting  obliga- 
tions by  his  bold  and  masterly  exposure  of  the  enormous  frauds 
connected  with  the  administration  of  the  New  York  canals." 
Under  the  able  leadership  of  Samuel  B.  Ruggles,  a  high  author- 
ity on  canal  matters,  the  Chamber  recommended  the  passage 
by  the  Legislature  of  an  amendment  to  the  State  Constitution 
abolishing  the  offices  of  canal  commissioners  and  authorizing 
the  appointment  by  the  Governor  of  a  superintendent  of 
public  works  who  should  have  control  over  all  canal  matters. 
This  proposal  was  accepted  by  the  Legislature  and  the  amend- 
ment suggested  was  subsequently  ratified  by  the  people  of 
the  State.    A  very  salutary  reform  was  thus  accomplished. 

Another  opportunity  for  genuine  public  service  arose  in 
September,  1892,  when  the  city  became  the  victim  of  a 
genuine  "cholera  scare."  There  was  an  epidemic  of  cholera 
in  Germany,  and  ships  had  arrived  in  New  York  harbor  with 
victims  of  the  disease  on  board.  These  were  detained  in  the 
lower  bay  and  none  of  their  passengers,  well  or  sick,  was  al- 
lowed to  land.  Incompetent  and  rather  brutal  conduct  was 
exhibited  by  the  quarantine  officials  in  allowing  the  detained 
vessels  to  be  tossed  about  in  the  rough  waters  of  the  bay  for 
several  days.  A  steadily  increasing  protest  arose  throughout 
the  city  at  this  treatment.  The  Chamber  called  a  special 
meeting  and  appointed  a  committee  which  raised  an  emer- 
gency fund  of  nearly  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  to  be 
used  in  providing  accommodations  on  land  for  the  well 
passengers.  The  Governor  of  the  State  subsequently  au- 
thorized the  use  of  State  money  for  the  purpose,  and  the 
emergency  fund  was  returned  to  the  subscribers.  The 
Chamber,  deeply  impressed  with  the  gravity  of  the  situation, 
adopted  a  memorial  to  Congress  in  favor  of  the  establishment 
of  a  national  quarantine,  with  the  ultimate  result  of  the  pas- 
sage by  Congress  of  a  law  giving  the  National  Government 
power  to  act  in  special  emergencies  in  case  of  failure  of  duty 
on  the  part  of  the  State  authorities. 


CHAPTER  XX 
ASSASSINATION  OF  GARFIELD 

lUND  FOR  mS  FAMILY — FAITH  OF  THE  CHAMBER  IN  PRESIDENT 

ARTHUR 

1881 

When  the  news  of  the  attempted  assassination  of  President 
Garfield  on  July  2,  1881,  was  received  a  special  meeting  of 
the  Chamber  was  called  on  the  next  day  for  July  7,  and 
resolutions  were  then  adopted  expressing  the  "unspeakable 
grief  and  indignation"  of  the  society,  and  extending  the  deep- 
est sympathy  to  the  members  of  the  President's  family.  Not 
content  with  this,  the  members  of  the  Chamber,  animated 
by  the  desire  to  relieve  the  President's  mind  of  anxiety  in 
regard  to  the  needs  of  his  family,  started  a  subscription  for  a 
fund  for  their  benefit  in  case  of  his  death.  Contributions 
were  solicited  from  all  parts  of  the  country,  with  the  result  of 
securing  ultimately  a  fund  of  about  three  hundred  and  sixty- 
two  thousand  dollars,  which  was  invested  for  the  benefit  of 
the  widow  and  other  members  of  the  family.  Another  special 
meeting  was  called  in  September  when  the  death  of  the  Presi- 
dent was  announced,  at  which  addresses  were  made  and  res- 
olutions adopted  expressing  the  sorrow  of  the  Chamber  and 
its  sympathy  for  the  aflflicted  family.  In  the  resolutions 
thoughts  were  expressed  which  were  in  the  minds  of  many 
men  at  the  time.  The  manner  of  his  death  was  declared  to 
be  a  "solemn  warning  to  the  American  people"  and  made  it 
a  duty  to  consider  carefully  the  causes  which  led  to  it. 
Without  mincing  words,  it  was  declared  that  his  death  "was 
the  natural  result  of  party  rancor,  and  of  the  demoralizing 
influence  which  the  system  of  appointment  to  the  civil  ser- 

96 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS  97 

vice  has  upon  weak  and  depraved  natures,"  and  the  earnest 
hope  was  expressed  that  "this  calzunity  may  lead  the  people 
to  remedy  evils  which  have  long  been  apparent,  but  never 
so  clearly  as  now." 

There  was  no  dissenting  voice  when  the  resolutions  were 
put  to  a  vote.  Later  in  the  proceedings,  an  additional  resolu- 
tion was  adopted  in  which  it  was  declared  that  in  paying  just 
tribute  to  the  illustrious  dead  some  consolation  was  to  be 
foimd  in  the  feeling  and  belief  that  the  great  loss  to  the 
nation  would,  "in  an  eminent  degree,  be  lessened  by  the  en- 
ergy, fidelity  and  patriotism  of  his  successor,  our  much 
respected  and  venerated  townsman,  Chester  A.  Arthur," 
who,  the  Chamber  was  convinced,  would  "labor  for  the 
best  interests  of  the  country  in  administering  the  office  of 
President  of  the  United  States,"  and  to  whom  the  Chamber 
pledged  its  sincere  and  ardent  support. 

This  deliverance,  coming  at  a  time  when  there  was  much 
apprehension  in  the  public  mind  as  to  the  course  which  Mr. 
Arthur  would  pursue,  had  an  excellent  effect.  He  himself 
was  much  gratified  by  it  and  sent  word  to  the  members  that 
he  had  a  deep  sense  of  obligation  to  the  Chamber  for  its 
prompt  and  cordial  expression  of  confidence.  The  faith  of 
the  Chamber  was  fully  justified  by  the  new  President's  con- 
duct of  the  government  during  the  three  and  a  half  years  in 
which  he  held  the  office.  When  he  retired  on  March  4, 
1885,  the  Chamber  elected  him  an  Honorary  Member,  and 
when  he  died  in  November  of  the  following  year,  it  paid 
warm  tribute  to  his  virtues  in  a  minute  prepared  by  his 
lifelong  friend,  Cornelius  N.  Bliss.  After  speaking  of  the 
high  esteem  in  which  Mr.  Arthur  had  been  held  for  many 
years  by  his  fellow  townsmen  before  he  became  President,  it 
was  said  in  the  minute:  "It  was  not  strange  that  outside 
the  State  where  his  ability  and  character  were  less  known, 
honest  doubt  and  distrust  of  the  future  of  the  country,  in  the 
serious  crisis,  should  weigh  upon  the  hearts  of  the  people. 


98  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

He  bore  all  calmly,  in  silence,  with  rare  fortitude,  confident 
in  his  own  integrity  of  purpose,  and  but  few  then  knew  how 
deeply  his  sensitive  nature  was  wounded  by  the  injustice 
to  which  he  was  subjected.  When  he  became  President,  his 
wise  and  conservative  course  soon  dissipated  doubt  and  fear, 
factional  disputes  were  stilled,  confidence  was  restored  to  the 
country,  and  his  administration  won  the  approbation  of  all 
men  of  both  parties.  So  ends  another  great  life;  and  when 
the  events  of  the  years  1881  to  1885  shall  be  recorded  in  his- 
tory, the  verdict  will  be,  that  during  that  period  the  destinies 
of  the  Republic  were,  under  Providence,  directed  by  a  wise 
and  sagacious  ruler." 


CHAPTER  XXI 
WAR  WITH  SPAIN 

PROMPT  SUPPORT  OF  THE  GOVERNMENT — PANAMA  CANAL  TOLLS 
— VALUABLE  HISTORICAL  EVIDENCE  FROM  MR.   CHOATE 

1898-I914 

When  the  question  of  declaring  war  with  Spain  was  pend- 
ing, in  the  spring  of  1898,  the  Chamber  did  not  hesitate  as 
to  its  duty  in  the  premises.  At  its  regular  monthly  meeting 
on  April  7  it  adopted  a  preamble  and  resolution  which  were 
reported  by  its  Executive  Committee.  In  the  preamble  it 
was  stated  that  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  "will,  as  in  the 
past,  so  in  the  future,  never  fail,  when  the  Republic  calls,  to 
stand  by  the  common  cause  in  a  spirit  of  patriotic  devotion 
and  self-sacrifice.  It  will  also  recognize  as  its  own  the  inter- 
ests and  the  honor  of  the  country."  The  resolution  declared 
that  "the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New  York 
most  heartily  applauds  the  pacific  policy  so  wisely,  patiently, 
and  nobly  pursued  by  President  McKinley.  It  pledges  to 
that  policy  its  firm  and  active  support,  and  it  calls  upon  the 
representatives  of  the  people  to  sustain  and  aid  the  President 
in  his  patriotic  endeavor  to  secure  justice  to  our  suffering 
neighbors,  while  at  the  same  time  preserving  the  inestimable 
boon  of  peace  to  our  own  country." 

There  was  an  animated  debate  on  the  question  of  adoption 
of  the  report,  in  which  several  members  advocated  a  more 
emphatic  utterance  in  favor  of  war  if  necessary,  and  others, 
including  Carl  Schurz,  supported  the  resolution.  A  letter 
was  received  a  few  days  later  from  President  McKinley's 
secretary,  conveying  the  President's  "assurance  of  his  cordial 

99 


loo        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

appreciation  of  this  expression  of  confidence  and  support, 
which  is  very  encouraging  to  him." 

At  its  next  following  monthly  meeting,  on  May  5,  the 
Chamber,  war  with  Spain  having  been  declared  in  the  mean- 
time, met  the  situation  squarely  and  imflinchingly  by  adopt- 
ing a  series  of  resolutions  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  mindful  of  its  own  loyal  and  patriotic  past,  hereby  pledges 
its  imqualified  and  hearty  support  to  the  President  and  Congress 
of  the  United  States  in  the  conduct  of  the  war. 

Resolved,  That  .the  Chamber  will  willingly  and  heartily  bear 
its  share  of  the  common  burdens,  whatever  they  may  be,  to  the 
end  that  such  a  peace  may  speedily  be  obtained  as  will  enure  to 
the  benefit  of  our  Cuban  neighbors,  and  to  the  domestic  quiet 
and  prosperity  of  the  United  States. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  thirty  members,  of  which  the 
President  of  the  Chamber  shall  be  chairman,  shall  be  appointed 
to  take  such  action,  as  may,  from  time  to  time,  be  necessary,  in 
order  to  give  to  this  action  of  the  Chamber  its  greatest  possible 
efficiency  and  value. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  and  congratulations  of  the  Chamber 
be  offered  to  Commodore  Dewey  and  the  gallant  officers  and  crews 
of  the  Asiatic  squadron  who,  by  one  blow,  struck  rnider  circum- 
stances of  peculiar  heroism,  have  relieved  our  Pacific  Coast  from 
the  fear  of  attack,  freed  our  merchant  ships  in  the  East  from  dread 
of  capture,  and  while  adding  new  lustre  to  the  brilliant  annals  of 
the  American  navy,  have  helped  importantly  to  shorten  the  war. 

Speeches  in  support  of  the  resolutions  were  made  by  the 
President  of  the  Chamber  and  several  members,  including 
Abram  S.  Hewitt.  The  latter  aroused  great  enthusiasm  by 
saying:  "The  verdict  of  history  will  show  that  not  only  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  but  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States  and  the  people  of  the  United  States  have  but 
one  object  in  this  great  controversy,  and  that  is  to  see  that 
justice  is  done,  even  though  the  heavens  fall." 

The  resolutions  were  adopted  unanimously. 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        loi 

At  its  first  meeting  after  the  close  of  the  war,  held  on  October 
6,  1898,  the  Chamber  sent,  with  unanimous  approval,  a  mes- 
sage to  President  McKinley,  tendering  to  him  its  "earnest 
congratulations  upon  the  successful  termination  of  the  war 
with  Spain,"  complimenting  him  upon  the  "magnificent  vic- 
tories achieved  by  the  Army  and  Navy  of  the  United  States," 
and  renewing  the  "assurance  of  its  confidence  in  his  wisdom, 
judgment  and  statesmanship  in  dealing  with  the  difficult  in- 
ternational problems  yet  to  be  solved." 

Immediately  upon  the  raising  of  the  question  of  exempting 
American  coastwise  ships  from  the  payment  of  tolls  in  the 
Panama  Canal,  in  19 12,  the  Chamber  gave  serious  attention 
to  the  subject  and  discussed  it  at  length  in  several  meetings. 
At  the  annual  banquet  of  the  Chamber  on  November  21, 191 2, 
Senator  Root,  in  an  earnest  and  eloquent  speech,  had  called 
attention  to  the  subject,  saying  that  the  United  States  could 
not  refuse  to  arbitrate  the  question  of  whether  or  not  the 
exemption  was  a  violation  of  the  Hay-Pauncefote  treaty.  In 
it  he  added  that  if  the  United  States  refused  to  arbitrate  the 
question,  "we  will  be  in  the  f>osition  of  the  merchant  who  is 
known  to  all  the  world  to  be  false  to  his  promises.  With 
our  nearly  four  thousand  millions  of  foreign  trade  we  will 
stand  in  the  world  of  commerce  as  a  merchant  false  to  his 
word.  Among  all  the  people  on  this  earth  who  hope  for 
better  days  of  righteousness  and  peace  in  the  future,  we  will 
stand,  in  the  light  of  our  multitude  of  declarations  for  arbitra- 
tion and  peace,  as  discredited,  dishonored  hypocrites;  with 
the  fair  name  of  America  blackened,  with  the  self-respect  of 
Americans  gone,  with  the  influence  of  America  for  advance 
along  the  pathway  of  progress  and  civilization,  annulled,  dis- 
honored and  disgraced.  No  true  American  can  fail  to  use  his 
voice  and  his  influence  upon  this  question  for  his  country's 
honor." 

This  speech,  together  with  the  full  texts  of  the  Hay-Paunce- 
fote treaty  and  of  the  Clayton-Bulwer  treaty  which  it  repealed, 


I02        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

were  published  in  the  monthly  "Bulletin"  of  the  Chamber 
in  order  that  accurate  information  on  the  subject  might  be 
placed  before  the  members. 

It  was  evident  from  the  beginning  of  the  debate  that  the 
sentiment  of  the  Chamber  was  overwhelmingly  against  the 
exemption  as  embodied  in  the  Canal  Act  that  Congress  had 
passed  in  191 2.  When,  in  January,  1913,  Senator  Root  in- 
troduced a  bill  repealing  the  exemption  clause  of  the  act,  a 
resolution  was  introduced  in  the  Chamber  at  its  next  follow- 
ing meeting,  approving  his  action.  This  was  debated  at  the 
subsequent  meetings,  at  the  second  of  which  Mr.  Joseph  H. 
Choate,  who  had  been  the  American  Ambassador  at  London 
when  the  Hay-Pauncefote  treaty  in  regard  to  the  canal  had 
been  drawn,  was  present  and  made  a  speech  which  will  always 
remain  as  a  valuable  contribution  to  the  history  of  the  case. 
It  was  the  testimony  of  a  man  who  had  first-hand  knowledge 
with  which  to  support  his  statements,  and  was  accepted  as 
final  by  the  Chamber,  as  it  must  be  by  all  who  wish  to  know 
the  truth.  The  more  vital  passages  of  his  speech  are  ap- 
pended: 

I  come  here  to-day  as  a  member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
hoping  to  help  it  to  decide  right  in  the  matter  that  is  now  before 
it,  because  I  consider  a  wrong  decision  would  be  not  only  a  serious 
blow  to  the  good  name  and  honor  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 
but  of  the  country  itself. 

It  is  true  that  I  had  something  to  do  with  the  negotiation  of  this 
treaty.  In  the  summer  of  1901 — you  will  remember  that  this 
treaty  was  ratified  by  the  Senate  in  November,  1901 — I  was  in 
England  until  October,  and  was  in  almost  daily  contact  with  Lord 
Pauncefote,  who  on  his  side  represented  Lord  Lansdowne,  the 
Foreign  Secretary,  and  was  also  in  very  frequent  correspondence 
with  Mr.  Hay,  our  Secretary  of  State,  under  whom  I  was  acting. 
As  the  lips  of  both  those  diplomatists  and  great  patriots,  who 
were  each  true  to  his  own  country  and  each  regardful  of  the  rights 
of  the  other,  are  sealed  in  death,  I  think  it  is  quite  proper  that  I 
should  say  what  I  believe  both  of  them,  if  they  were  here,  would 
say  to-day:  that  the  clause  in  the  Panama  Canal  Bill  exempting 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        103 

coastwise  American  shipping  from  the  payment  of  tolls  is  in  direct 
violation  of  the  treaty. 

I  venture  to  say  now  that  in  the  whole  course  of  the  negotiation 
of  this  particular  treaty,  no  claim,  no  suggestion  was  made,  that 
there  should  be  any  exemption  of  anybody.  How  could  there  be 
in  face  of  the  words  they  agreed  upon  ?  Lord  Pauncefote  and  John 
Hay  were  singularly  honest  and  truthful  men.  They  knew  the 
meaning  of  the  English  language,  and  when  they  agreed  upon  the 
language  of  the  treaty,  they  carried  out  the  fundamental  prin- 
ciple of  their  whole  diplomacy,  so  far  as  I  know  anything  about  it, 
and  in  the  six  years  I  was  engaged  with  them,  their  cardinal  rule 
was  to  mean  what  they  said  and  to  say  what  they  meant. 

When  the  question  of  approving  Senator  Root's  repeal  bill 
was  put  at  the  close  of  the  debate,  at  a  very  full  attendance 
of  members,  there  were  only  seven  votes  in  the  negative.  A 
message  was  sent  to  Senator  Root  informing  him  of  the  Cham- 
ber's action,  to  which  he  replied  expressing  his  pleasure  in 
knowing  that  the  Chamber  was  on  the  right  side  of  the  ques- 
tion. 

On  March  5,  1914,  President  Wilson  read  his  special  mes- 
sage before  a  joint  session  of  the  two  houses  of  Congress  in 
which  he  asked  for  repeal  of  the  exemption  clauses  on  the 
ground  that  in  his  "judgment,  very  fully  considered  and  ma- 
turely formed,  that  exemption  constitutes  a  mistaken  eco- 
nomic policy  from  every  point  of  view,  and  is,  moreover,  in 
plain  contradiction  of  the  treaty  with  Great  Britain."  The 
Chamber  at  once  came  to  the  support  of  the  President,  and, 
by  request  from  Washington,  sent  a  special  committee  to  that 
city  to  appear  before  the  Senate  Committee  on  Interoceanic 
Canals  and  present  the  Chamber's  attitude  in  the  matter. 
The  Senate  Committee  gave  the  Chamber's  representatives  a 
full  and  exhaustive  hearing,  at  which  the  action  of  the  Cham- 
ber in  191 2  was  presented  in  detail,  and  the  economic  side 
of  the  question  in  its  relations  to  transportation  by  both 
water  and  rail  was  fully  discussed. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  the  arguments  of  the  Chamber's 


I04        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

representatives  had  much  influence  in  securing  the  final 
passage  of  the  repeal  bill  which  became  law  on  June  15,  1914. 
President  Wilson  recognized  the  value  of  the  service  rendered 
by  sending  a  letter  to  the  Chamber  in  which  he  begged  it  to 
accept  his  assurance  that  he  appreciated  its  action  in  support- 
ing his  position  on  the  question. 


CHAPTER  XXII 
RAPID-TRANSIT  SOLUTION 

RECORD  OF  THE  CHAMBER — THIRTEEN  YEARS  OF  LEADERSHIP 
IN  THE  CONSTRUCTION  OF   SUBWAYS 

I 894-1 907 

No  public  service  performed  by  the  Chamber  during  its 
century  and  a  half  of  usefulness  ranks  above  its  achievement 
in  solving  the  problem  of  rapid  transit. 

As  early  as  1868  the  question  of  an  undergroimd  system  of 
transit  began  to  engage  serious  attention  and  during  the 
ensuing  quarter  of  a  century  repeated  efforts  to  evolve  a  satis- 
factory system  were  made,  all  of  which,  for  one  reason  or  an- 
other, ended  in  failure.  A  charter  was  granted  by  the  Legis- 
lature in  1868  to  the  New  York  City  Central  Underground 
Company  for  the  construction  of  a  subway,  but  it  proved  to 
be  impossible  to  raise  the  necessary  capital.  In  1872,  the 
Legislature  incorporated  the  New  York  City  Rapid  Transit 
Company,  authorizing  the  New  York  Central  Railroad  Com- 
pany to  construct  an  underground  road  from  the  Grand  Cen- 
tral Station  to  the  City  Hall.  Criticism  of  this  plan  was  so 
bitter  that  it  was  abandoned.  In  1875,  an  act  was  passed 
imder  which  the  elevated  railway  system  was  constructed. 
This  system  satisfied  public  needs  for  about  ten  years,  when 
the  necessity  for  additional  facilities  revived  the  demand  for 
an  underground  road.  Mayor  Hewitt  took  up  the  question 
in  i888,  and  endeavored,  unsuccessfully,  to  induce  the  Legis- 
lature to  pass  an  act  for  such  a  road.  In  1891,  the  Legisla- 
ture, yielding  to  a  strong  popular  demand,  passed  an  act 
under  which  a  Rapid  Transit  Commission  was  appointed. 
This  body  evolved  a  system  which  could  not  be  constructed 

los 


io6        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

because  of  the  lack  of  responsible  bidders  for  the  contract. 
In  1894  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  took  up  the  subject. 

If  anything  had  been  demonstrated  conclusively  by  pre- 
vious efforts,  it  was  that  private  capital  could  not  be  induced 
to  undertake  the  work.  The  Chamber,  in  the  light  of  experi- 
ence, looked  about  for  other  methods  of  raising  money,  and 
could  find  only  one,  that  of  the  city  credit.  There  had  been 
public  talk  of  municipal  ownership  combined  with  municipal 
operation.  The  Chamber  adopted  the  idea  of  confining  mu- 
nicipal participation  to  the  furnishing  of  credit  for  construc- 
tion, leaving  to  private  interests  the  risks  and  burden  as  well 
as  the  profit  of  constructing,  equipping,  and  operating  the 
system.  That  separation  proved  to  be  the  key  to  the  rapid- 
transit  problem,  and  the  discovery  was  a  public  service  of 
incalculable  value,  not  only  to  New  York,  but  to  all  other 
mimicipalities  in  the  land. 

Credit  for  this  discovery  belongs  to  Mr.  Hewitt.  It  was 
entirely  his  idea,  Mr.  Orr  said  in  a  speech  at  the  annual 
banquet  in  1904,  that  municipal  credit  should  be  a  dominant 
feature  of  the  enterprise.  "That,  to  my  mind,  and,  I  believe 
to  the  minds  of  our  colleagues  of  the  Rapid  Transit  Com- 
mission," he  added,  "made  our  work  a  success." 

Under  the  experienced  guidance  of  Mr.  Hewitt,  who  had 
for  many  years  been  a  zealous  advocate  of  subway  construc- 
tion, and  with  the  expert  legal  advice  of  Henry  R.  Beekman, 
afterward  an  upright,  able,  and  honored  judge  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  a  bill  was  drawn  and  presented  to  the  Legislature  in 
which  for  the  first  time  the  proposal  to  use  the  credit  of  the 
city  was  made.  The  Legislature,  naturally  timid  in  the  face 
of  so  imprecedented  a  departure,  passed  the  bill  but  attached 
a  proviso  that  before  going  into  effect  it  must  first  be  approved 
by  the  people  of  the  State.  A  referendum  on  the  question 
was  submitted  in  the  election  of  November,  1894,  and  approval 
was  given  with  a  large  majority.  The  way  was  thus  cleared 
for  the  new  idea  in  rapid  transit  to  be  put  into  operation. 


CO    « 

>-     c 
W    2 


:  X 


a    s 


i.;tUi™-:,Jl:' 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        107 

The  act  as  passed  named  the  persons  who  were  to  consti- 
tute the  Rapid  Transit  Commission.  They  were  the  Mayor 
and  Comptroller  of  the  city;  the  President  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce;  William  Steinway,  Seth  Low,  John  Claflin, 
Alexander  E.  Orr,  and  John  H.  Starin.  Five  of  the  eight  com- 
missioners were  members  of  the  Chamber  of  Conmierce.  Mr. 
Orr  was  President  of  the  Chamber,  and  consequently  an  ex 
officio  and  an  individual  member.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the 
commission,  he  was  elected  its  President.  He  resigned  his 
individual  membership  and  John  H.  Inman  was  elected  to  the 
vacancy,  giving  the  Chamber  six  members  of  the  body. 

From  the  moment  of  its  appointment,  the  commission  bent 
its  energies  continuously  and  tirelessly  to  the  great  task  as- 
signed to  it.  Necessary  amendments  were  obtained  from  time 
to  time  enlarging  its  powers.  Changes  in  its  personnel  from 
death  and  other  causes  were  made  as  time  advanced.  Mr. 
Low  resigned  in  1896,  and  Mr.  Steinway  and  Mr.  Liman  died. 
Their  places  were  filled  by  Woodbury  Langdon,  George  L. 
Rives,  and  Charles  Stewart  Smith.  Li  1899,  Morris  K. 
Jesup  became  President  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and 
thereby  replaced  Mr.  Orr  as  ex  officio  member  of  the  com- 
mission. At  the  first  meeting  of  the  commission  thereafter, 
John  Claflin  resigned  and  Mr.  Orr  was  elected  to  the  vacancy, 
continuing  as  President  of  the  commission. 

The  commission,  as  soon  as  it  had  been  appointed,  organ- 
ized and  chose  William  Barclay  Parsons  as  chief  engineer  and 
George  S.  Rice  as  deputy  chief  engineer.  A  route  for  the 
subway  was  laid  out  after  taking  into  consideration  the  con- 
venience of  the  population,  the  situation  of  existing  lines  of 
transportation,  and  the  development  of  the  dty.  Plans  for 
the  structure  were  determined  upon,  a  financial  scheme  was 
evolved,  necessary  legal  authority  was  secured  from  the 
courts,  and  the  construction  of  an  operating  plant  was  author- 
ized. 

A  delay  of  two  years  was  caused  in  the  actual  beginning  of 


io8        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

the  work  by  an  action  brought  in  the  Supreme  Court  to  test 
the  constitutionaUty  of  the  Act  of  1894  creating  the  com- 
mission. This  was  carried  to  the  Court  of  Appeals  and 
declared  finally  in  favor  of  the  city. 

Obstacles  and  delays  of  various  kinds  arose  constantly, 
but  the  patience  and  perseverance  of  the  commission  enabled 
it  to  surmount  them  all,  and  in  the  fall  of  1899  ^  contract  for 
the  work  was  completed  and  was  advertised  for  bids.  On 
January  16,  1900,  a  bid  was  accepted,  and  a  Rapid  Transit 
Subway  Construction  Company  was  organized  to  capitalize 
the  work.  On  March  24  following  the  work  was  formally 
begun,  and  four  and  a  half  years  later,  on  October  27,  1904, 
the  subway,  fully  equipped  in  every  part  and  ready  for  opera- 
tion, was  thrown  open  to  the  public  with  impressive  cere- 
monies. Every  detail  of  the  work,  construction,  equipment 
of  stations  and  rolling-stock,  motive-power,  etc.,  was  con- 
sidered and  determined  by  the  commission,  and  after  ten 
years  of  unremitting  and  devoted  labor,  its  members  presented 
the  city  with  as  perfect  a  system  of  transportation  as  the  world 
had  yet  seen. 

While  the  commission  had  been  engaged  in  this  task,  the 
Greater  New  York  Charter  had  gone  into  effect,  creating  a 
new  city  with  a  greatly  increased  population  and  with  new 
and  diversified  interests.  This  enlargement  of  its  field  of 
labor  had  added  enormously  to  the  work  of  the  commission 
by  imposing  upon  its  members  the  task  of  evolving  a  system 
of  transit  that  should  meet  the  wants  of  all  the  new  territory 
that  had  been  added  to  the  old.  This  was  done  so  effectively 
that  the  way  was  opened  for  whatever  enlargements  and  ex- 
tensions in  the  future  the  growth  of  the  metropolis  might 
make  necessary. 

During  the  closing  years  of  service  the  commission  made 
careful  examination  of  the  merits  of  proposed  additional  routes 
and  decided  upon  so  many  that  when,  in  1907,  it  was  abolished 
and  its  work  turned  over  to  the  PubUc  Service  Commission 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        109 

there  was  Kttle  for  the  latter  body  to  do  except  to  carry  for- 
ward the  general  scheme  which  its  predecessor  had  planned 
and  partially  executed.  That  Mr.  Hewitt  and  Mr.  Orr,  as 
well  as  their  associates,  were  men  of  vision,  as  well  as  devoted 
public  servants,  was  demonstrated  by  the  success  of  their 
ideas  and  plans. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 
RAPID  TRANSIT— CONTINUED 

RECOGNITION    OF   MR.   HEWITT'S    SERVICES — GOLD    MEDAL 

AWARDED   AND   STATUE   ERECTED   TO   HIS   MEMORY — 

MEDALS  ALSO  FOR  MEMBERS  OF  THE  COMMISSION 

1894-1907 

The  Chamber  was  generous  in  its  appreciation  of  Mr. 
Hewitt's  services.  When  the  contract  for  building  the  sub- 
way was  signed,  in  April,  1900,  Mr.  Orr  reported  the  fact 
at  a  meeting  of  the  Chamber  and  proposed  that  a  gold 
medal  be  struck  in  recognition  of  Mr.  Hewitt's  eminent  ser- 
vices, saying  that  the  result  was  due  mainly  to  the  active  in- 
fluence of  the  Chamber  and  the  "genius  and  foresight  of 
Abram  S.  Hewitt  who  had  brought  to  the  task  a  wide  experi- 
ence in  civic  affairs  and  an  intimate  knowledge  of  the  require- 
ments of  the  case."  A  resolution  was  adopted,  appointing  a 
special  committee  to  procure  a  gold  medal  to  be  presented 
to  Mr.  Hewitt  "with  assurances  of  the  admiration,  respect 
and  affectionate  regard  of  his  fellow  members."  A  medal 
was  struck  and  was  formally  presented  to  Mr.  Hewitt  at  a 
meeting  of  the  Chamber  on  October  3,  1901.  In  his  speech 
of  acceptance  Mr.  Hewitt  reviewed  the  long  campaign  for  an 
underground  system,  and  remarked  that  in  achieving  this 
result  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  had  been  the  prime  mover, 
adding:  "I  think  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  in  the  future 
its  successful  intervention  will  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  most 
creditable  achievements  in  its  long  and  honorable  history, 
identified,  as  it  was  and  is,  with  the  construction  of  the  Erie 
Canal  and  of  the  great  system  of  water-supply  which  has  made 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        iii 

it  possible  for  more  than  three  millions  of  people  to  dwell 
together  in  health  and  comfort." 

Of  the  medal  he  said:  "It  will  be  treasured  by  my  children 
as  the  most  precious  possession  which  will  descend  to  them, 
and  be  regarded  by  them,  as  it  is  by  me,  as  the  crowning  honor 
of  a  long  career,  which,  by  the  action  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce,  is  now  brought  to  a  happy  ending." 

Fifteen  months  later,  when  Mr.  Hewitt's  life  ended,  the 
Chamber,  feeling  that  sufficient  honor  had  not  yet  been  paid 
to  him,  directed  that  a  marble  statue  be  made  of  him  and 
placed  in  a  niche  on  the  grand  stairway  leading  to  the  great 
hall  of  the  Chamber  in  its  building.  This  was  done,  and  on 
May  II,  1905,  the  statue  was  imveiled  with  impressive  cere- 
monies in  the  presence  of  his  widow  and  children.  It  was 
the  first  time  in  its  long  history  that  such  an  honor  had  been 
paid  by  the  Chamber  to  one  of  its  members. 

On  January  7,  1904,  the  Chamber  devoted  itself  to  an  ex- 
pression of  appreciation  of  the  services  of  its  members  on  the 
Board  of  Rapid  Transit  Commissioners.  A  resolution  was 
adopted  unanimously,  appointing  a  committee  to  consider 
and  report  on  the  question  of  suitable  recognition.  The  com- 
mittee reported  in  March  and  again  in  November.  They 
called  attention  in  their  first  report  to  this  inscription  on  a 
tablet  in  the  City  Hall  station  of  the  first  subway: 


SUGGESTED  BY  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE 
AUTHORIZED  BY  THE  STATE 
CONSTRUCTED  BY  THE  CITY 


While  approving  the  inscription,  the  committee  expressed 
the  opinion  that  it  did  not  adequately  set  forth  the  service 
the  Chamber  had  rendered.  In  its  second  report  the  com- 
mittee recommended  that  medals,  similar  to  the  one  awarded 
to  Mr.  Hewitt,  be  presented  to  the  members  of  the  Cham- 
ber who  had  served  on  the  Rapid  Transit  Commission.    The 


112         ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

recommendation  was  adopted,  and  at  a  meeting  on  December 
7,  they  were  presented  by  the  President  to  the  seven  members 
who  had  been  on  the  commission.  In  their  report,  the  special 
committee  said  that  the  great  community  was  to  be  congratu- 
lated in  an  especial  manner  upon  the  fact  that  the  best  virtue 
and  the  best  intelligence  of  its  citizenship  had  been  enlisted 
in  the  enterprise. 

In  a  brief  speech,  thanking  the  Chamber  for  its  action,  Mr. 
Orr  said  that  it  had  been  both  a  pride  and  pleasure  to  the 
members  of  the  commission  to  know  that  the  very  first  move 
toward  real  and  effective  rapid  transit  under  municipal  credit 
had  been  made  by  the  Chamber,  and  it  was  for  this  reason  that 
when  designing  the  tablet  to  commemorate  the  building  of 
the  first  rapid-transit  road  in  New  York  the  commission  de- 
creed that  the  very  first  Une  of  the  inscription  should  read: 
"Suggested  by  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of 
New  York." 

One  of  the  members  of  the  Chamber,  in  some  remarks  eulo- 
gistic of  the  work  accompUshed,  made  the  important  point 
that  great  as  the  achievement  had  been,  the  Chamber  had  done 
even  more  than  create  a  work  of  public  utihty  of  far-reaching 
consequences.  It  had  shown  how  a  great  public  work,  of  in- 
calculable value  to  the  city  of  New  York  for  all  time  to  come, 
could  be  conceived,  organized,  and  carried  out,  freed  from 
those  political  entanglements  which  so  often  proved  a  source 
of  waste,  extravagance,  or  scandal. 

In  its  report  the  special  committee  also  recommended  that 
a  description  and  historical  memoir  of  the  enterprise  be  pre- 
pared and  printed.  This  was  done,  and  it  was  published  in 
1905,  with  the  title  of  "Rapid  Transit,  Chamber  of  Commerce 
of  the  State  of  New  York."  It  is  an  extremely  valuable  pub- 
lication, containing,  in  addition  to  a  complete  history  of  the 
various  rapid-transit  plans  aiid  of  the  work  done  by  the  Cham- 
ber's successful  board,  an  account  of  similar  enterprises  in 
other  American  and  foreign  cities.    Students  of  municipal 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        113 

transit  questions  will  find  it  an  invaluable  book  of  reference, 
containing  in  detail  information  which,  from  the  necessity  of 
the  case,  can  only  be  summarized  in  this  general  history  of  the 
Chamber. 


CHAPTER  XXrV 
SOUND-MONEY  RECORD 

UNBROKEN   FOR   ONE   HUNDRED   AND   FIFTY   YEARS — DEMANDS 

FOR   RESUMPTION    OF    SPECIE   PAYMENTS — OPPOSITION 

TO   FREE   SILVER 

1768-1918 

In  the  earlier  chapters  of  this  chronicle  it  has  been  pointed 
out  that  almost  from  the  moment  of  its  creation  the  Cham- 
ber took  an  unqualified  and  strong  position  in  favor  of  a 
sound  and  stable  currency.  It  did  this  in  reference  to  colo- 
nial paper  currency  and  later  in  reference  to  depredated  and 
adulterated  coin.  In  recent  times  it  has  maintained  this 
attitude  unwaveringly. 

When  the  question  of  the  resumption  of  specie  payments 
began  to  be  discussed  in  1869  the  Chamber  put  itself  on  rec- 
ord in  favor  of  resumption  at  the  earliest  practical  moment, 
declaring  its  conviction  that  the  pubUc  debt  should  be  paid 
in  gold,  and  that  contraction  of  the  currency  must  precede 
resumption.  It  adhered  to  this  position  steadily  for  ten  years. 
When  resumption  became  an  accomphshed  fact  on  January 
I,  1879,  the  Chamber  passed  resolutions  feUcitating  the  city 
and  country  upon  the  "consummation  of  an  event  which  has 
been  so  long  and  ardently  desired,"  and  later  appointed  a 
committee  to  ask  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  John  Sher- 
man, to  sit  for  a  portrait  which  should  be  hung  upon  the  walls 
of  the  Chamber  in  honor  of  his  great  services.  The  Secretary 
consented,  his  portrait  was  painted  and  hangs  to-day  in  the 
Great  Hall  of  the  society  facing  that  of  Alexander  Hamilton. 

Early  in  1872,  when  the  bill  relating  to  the  coinage  of  silver 
which  had  been  before  Congress  since  the  beginning  of  1870 

114 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        115 

was  under  discussion  in  that  body,  the  Chamber,  on  May  6, 
adopted  unanimously  a  series  of  resolutions  sa)ang  it  per- 
ceived "with  great  satisfaction  that  the  pending  bill  provides 
that  the  gold  dollar  shall  be  'the  unit  of  value,'  and  that  the 
silver  dollar  shall  hereafter  be  a  legal  tender  only  for  amounts 
not  exceeding  $5,  thereby  putting  an  end,  in  the  United  States, 
to  the  absurdity  of  a  'double  standard'  for  legal  money,  and 
establishing  gold  as  the  single  and  only  standard."  Copies 
of  the  resolutions  were  sent  to  members  of  both  houses  of 
Congress,  and  from  that  time  till  the  final  passage  of  the  act, 
on  February  7,  1873,  ^^  Chamber,  through  its  special  com- 
mittee on  the  subject,  of  which  Samuel  B.  Ruggles  was  chair- 
man, continued  to  urge  its  passage  and  to  make  suggestions  in 
regard  to  its  provisions,  many  of  which  were  incorporated  in 
the  measure.  This  act  was  known  afterward  as  the  "Crime 
of  '73,"  that  being  the  title  which  advocates  of  free-silver 
coinage  and  bimetallism  gave  to  it.  That  it  exercised  a 
powerful  influence  in  keeping  the  country  on  the  gold  standard, 
all  efforts  to  repeal  it  ending  in  failure,  is  universally  admitted. 
The  Chamber  in  upholding  it  from  the  outset  not  only  ad- 
hered to  its  invariable  policy  in  support  of  sound  finance  but 
performed  a  valuable  service  to  the  country. 

The  Chamber  continued  its  opposition  to  free  silver  in  all 
and  every  one  of  the  various  forms  in  which  it  appeared  dur- 
ing the  years  which  followed  the  resumption  of  specie  pay- 
ments. When,  in  spite  of  its  earnest  and  repeated  protests, 
the  so-called  "Sherman  Act,"  authorizing  the  purchase  of 
four  million  five  hundred  thousand  ounces  of  silver  monthly, 
was  passed  in  1890,  the  Chamber  did  not  falter  in  its  position. 
In  October,  1891,  when  the  evil  influences  of  the  act  began  to 
be  apparent,  it  passed  a  resolution  declaring  that  "in  the 
opinion  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  so  much  of  the  existing  law  as  compels  the  purchase 
by  the  Government  of  4,500,000  ounces  of  silver  per  month 
is  against  public  welfare  and  should  be  repealed."    In  April 


ii6        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

of  the  following  year  the  Chamber  adopted  an  elaborate 
report  by  its  special  committee  on  the  subject  with  resolutions 
in  which  it  was  declared  that  "all  existing  legislation  which 
requires  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  purchase  silver  bul- 
lion should  be  repealed." 

Repeatedly  in  1892  and  the  early  part  of  1893  ^^  Chamber 
called  earnest  attention  to  the  harm  which  the  Sherman 
silver-purchase  act  was  doing  to  the  financial  and  commercial 
interests  of  the  country  and  urged  its  repeal.  In  June  the 
panic  of  1893,  one  of  the  most  serious  in  the  financial  history 
of  the  country,  came  as  the  inevitable  result  of  the  silver 
poKcy.  Banks  failed  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  there  were 
runs  on  savings-banks,  and  appeals  for  help  reached  the  finan- 
cial institutions  of  New  York  from  all  quarters.  The  Clear- 
ing House  Loan  Conmiittee,  composed  of  five  metropolitan 
bank  presidents,  all  members  of  the  Chamber,  saved  the 
situation,  and  averted  financial  ruin  and  devastation  through- 
out the  land  by  issuing  more  than  forty-one  million  dollars  in 
loan  certificates. 

The  Chamber  besought  President  Cleveland  to  call  a  special 
session  of  Congress  to  consider  the  question  of  repealing  the 
Sherman  Act,  and  this  he  did  on  August  7,  1893.  The  House 
passed  a  repeal  bill  promptly,  but  action  was  delayed  in  the 
Senate  for  a  long  time.  Pending  action,  the  Chamber  bent 
its  energies  to  arousing  popular  sentiment  in  favor  of  the 
repeal  bill's  passage.  Through  a  special  committee  appeals 
were  made  to  over  five  thousand  banks  and  trust  companies 
and  commercial  associations,  and  thirty  thousand  letters 
were  sent  to  private  firms  and  individuals  urging  them  to  use 
their  influence  in  securing  action  by  the  Senate  in  favor  of 
repeal.  Finally,  the  Senate  passed  the  bill  and  on  November 
I  it  became  law.  In  winning  this  victory  for  soimd  money 
the  Chamber  had  taken  a  very  important  part,  and  the  final 
triumph  was  due  in  large  measure  to  its  successful  efforts  in 
arousing  popular  sentiment  in  favor  of  repeal. 


Z     -3 

o    > 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS        117 

In  November,  1895,  President  Cleveland  recognized  hand- 
somely the  services  of  the  Chamber  in  the  fight  for  sound 
money.  The  society  invited  him  to  be  an  honored  guest 
at  its  annual  dinner,  and  in  a  letter  of  regret  that  he  was  not 
able  to  accept,  he  wrote:  "There  never  was  a  time  when  my 
admiration  for  this  important  business  association  was  so 
great,  and  I  am  sure  the  recent  efforts  of  its  members  to  save 
the  country  from  the  havoc  of  financial  madness  ought  to  be 
appreciated  by  every  patriotic  citizen." 

When  in  1896  the  steadily  growing  agitation  in  favor  of 
the  free  coinage  of  silver  culminated  in  the  nomination  by 
the  Democratic  Convention  of  its  leading  advocate,  the 
Chamber  had  no  doubt  as  to  its  duty  in  the  campaign.  It 
realized  at  once  that  an  issue  had  been  raised  that  was  above 
political  and  partisan  considerations  and  involved  both  the 
national  welfare  and  the  national  honor.  Foreseeing  the 
coming  conflict  as  early  as  May,  1895,  it  had  appointed  a 
special  committee  to  devise  methods  for  opp>osing  free  coin- 
age and  maintaining  the  standard  of  value.  As  soon  as  the 
free-silver  nomination  was  made  this  committee  began  the 
preparation  of  a  plan  of  campaign,  appointing  from  their 
members  an  Executive  Committee,  a  Finance  Committee, 
with  several  subcommittees,  and  securing  offices  in  which  to 
conduct  the  work.  They  opened  correspondence  with  kindred 
organizations  throughout  the  country,  sought  and  obtained 
the  co-operation  and  assistance  of  large  commercial  houses, 
and  thus  established  wide  connections  with  business  interests 
in  all  parts  of  the  land.  They  then  began  the  printing  and 
distribution  of  large  quantities  of  soimd-money  literature, 
speeches,  pamphlets,  and  other  publications,  reaching  with 
them,  by  means  of  correspondence  and  through  the  press, 
several  millions  of  j)eople,  chiefly  in  the  South  and  West, 
regularly  during  the  campaign.  They  did  not  depend  upon 
the  political  organizations  for  distribution,  but  reached  the 
individual  voter  directly  through  the  press  and  the  avenues 


ii8        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

of  business  correspondence.  It  is  scarcely  possible  to  over- 
estimate the  value  of  the  missionary  and  educational  work 
thus  accomplished.  It  could  justly  be  claimed  that  these 
services  in  that  campaign,  one  of  the  most  critical  in  our 
history,  exerted  a  powerful  influence  in  winning  the  result- 
ing victory. 

Throughout  his  career  as  President,  Mr.  Cleveland  and  the 
Chamber  worked  shoulder  to  shoulder  in  the  fight  for  sound 
money,  and  their  relations  were  mutually  cordial  and  friendly. 
When  Mr.  Cleveland's  second  term  had  ended  in  1897,  Presi- 
dent Orr,  in  behalf  of  the  Chamber,  wrote  to  him  saying  that 
it  was  the  "earnest  wish  of  very  many  of  its  members  to 
demonstrate  its  high  appreciation  of  the  benefits  conferred 
upon  the  commercial  interests  of  this  country,  both  at  home 
and  abroad,  by  the  honorable  and  uncompromisingly  honest 
financial  policy"  which  he  had  advocated  and  insured  through- 
out his  entire  administration,  and  asking  him  to  accept  a 
banquet  in  order  that  opportunity  might  be  given  to  publicly 
recognize  his  valuable  financial  services  and  to  express  the 
Chamber's  gratitude  and  thanks.  Mr.  Cleveland's  reply  is 
so  thoroughly  characteristic  in  its  frankness  and  in  its  revela- 
tions of  his  high  ideals  of  public  service,  that  it  is  here  pre- 
sented in  full; 

Executive  Mansion, 
Washington,  February  10, 1897. 

My  Dear  Mr.  Orr:  I  have  just  received  your  letter  of  yes- 
terday. 

In  reply,  I  desire,  first  of  all,  to  express  my  supreme  gratifica- 
tion that  the  members  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  desire  to 
tender,  in  such  a  marked  manner,  their  approbation  of  my  official 
course.  The  mere  fact  of  their  entertaining  such  a  suggestion  con- 
stitutes a  most  valued  reward  for  faithful  endeavor  to  perform 
official  duty. 

I  hope  you  will,  however,  permit  me  to  say  in  entire  frankness 
and  sincerity,  that  the  assurance  of  the  approbation  of  my  good 
friends  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  affords  me  as  complete 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        119 

satisfaction  and  comfort  as  any  other  demonstration  of  it  could  do. 
Besides,  all  that  I  have  done  or  attempted  to  do,  in  the  direction 
of  the  general  welfare,  deserves  no  special  manifestation  of  approval 
such  as  you  suggest,  since  all  this  is  within  the  scope  of  the  service 
I  owe  my  fellow  countrymen  who  have  trusted  me. 

These  considerations  lead  me  to  the  suggestion  that  I  would 
be  better  pleased  if  the  projects  you  outline  were  relinquished. 

With  assurances  of  grateful  appreciation,  I  am, 
Yours  sincerely, 

(Signed)  Grover  Cleveland. 

When  in  1900  the  free  coinage  of  silver  was  again  the  lead- 
ing issue  in  the  national  campaign,  the  Chamber  took  the 
same  position  that  it  had  held  four  years  earlier,  and  exerted 
its  influence  on  the  side  of  sound  money.  On  the  eve  of 
election  in  November  it  sent  out  a  formal  appeal  through  the 
various  commercial  bodies  of  the  country  which  closed  with 
the  declaration  that  "The  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State 
of  New  York,  realizing  the  peril  of  this  agitation,  the  sinister 
character  of  credit  when  attacked,  and  knowing  that  the  gold 
standard  is  the  only  standard  upon  which  permanent  pros- 
perity can  rest,  believe  now  that  the  time  has  again  come  for 
commercial  bodies  and  all  men,  whether  engaged  in  farming, 
manufacture  or  trade,  to  unite  in  removing  from  political 
agitation  once  and  forever  the  question  of  the  standard  of 
value  upon  which  all  the  business  of  this  country  is  transacted. 
The  question  has  arisen  above  and  beyond  all  parties  and 
creeds,  and  now  involves  the  honor  of  the  nation  and  the  in- 
tegrity of  the  individual." 


CHAPTER  XXV 
COMMERCIAL  ARBITRATION 

HISTORY    OF    THE    CHAMBER'S    EXPERIENCE    FROM    EARLIEST 
TIMES — SUCCESS   OF   THE   SYSTEM 

I 768-1918 

A  CENTURY  and  a  half  ago,  at  the  very  beginning  of  its  ex- 
istence, the  Chamber  established  the  principle  of  voluntary 
commercial  arbitration  and  has  adhered  to  it,  with  honor  to 
itself  and  great  usefulness  to  the  world  ever  since.  Its  rec- 
ord in  the  matter  is  so  creditable  that  it  deserves  to  be 
traced  in  full,  for  it  is  both  instructive  and  interesting. 

At  the  second  meeting  of  the  Chamber  on  May  3,  1768,  a 
committee  of  seven  members  was  appointed  for  "adjusting 
any  differences  between  parties  agreeing  to  leave  such  dis- 
putes to  this  Chamber."  A  new  and  differently  constituted 
committee  was  appointed  at  each  meeting.  On  April  4,  1769, 
it  was  ordered  that  the  names  of  persons  having  the  dis- 
putes, with  the  sums  awarded,  should  be  entered  on  the  min- 
utes, and  in  May  following  this  was  modified  by  the  proviso 
that  it  should  be  done  unless  both  parties  to  a  dispute  objected 
to  it.  In  June  the  records  of  three  disputes,  with  names  and 
awards,  were  inscribed  in  the  minutes  but  no  subsequent  entry 
of  the  kind  was  made.  There  was  evidently  much  objection 
to  the  proceeding,  for  in  June  the  Committee  of  Arbitration 
was  instructed  merely  to  report  in  writing  to  the  Chamber 
"what  business  hath  or  shall  come  before  them  during  their 
appointment." 

It  was  not  known  tiU  many  years  later  that  there  was  in  ex- 
istence any  records  of  these  early  arbitrations,  but  in  19 13  an 
original  manuscript  volume  was  found  in  the  manuscript- 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        121 

room  of  the  Public  Library,  it  having  been  purchased  some 
time  previously  from  a  collector.  In  this  volume  were  the 
records  of  arbitration  cases  from  July  6,  1779,  when  the 
Chamber  became  a  RoyaUst  body,  to  November  i,  1792,  nine 
years  after  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War.  Copies  of 
these  records  were  published  in  a  neat  volume  by  the  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce  in  1913.  As  was  said  in  the  preface  of  that 
volume: 

This  was  a  great  historic  time  in  the  development  of  New  York, 
and  the  minutes  constitute  a  historical  document  of  high  value, 
giving  as  they  do  an  intimate  view  of  the  commercial  life  of  New 
York  in  the  later  years  of  the  eighteenth  century,  including  the 
Revolutionary  War,  when  this  city  was  a  centre  of  stirring  events. 
Although  containing  about  50,000  inhabitants.  New  York  was 
already,  by  reason  of  her  spacious  harbor,  an  active  shipping  port, 
and  her  leading  merchants  were  owners  of  ships  that  traded  in 
many  parts  of  the  world.  Most  of  the  disputes  which  are  recorded 
in  these  minutes  were  differences  over  ships,  and  many  of  them  ap- 
plied to  the  terms  of  employment  over  masters  and  men.  The 
cases  tried  were  often  submitted  to  the  Chamber  by  the  police 
authorities  of  the  city.  Many  of  the  names  recorded  in  the  min- 
utes are  those  of  men  prominent  in  the  colonial  period  of  New 
York,  some  of  them  being  founders  of  families  and  fortunes  exist- 
ing to-day. 

In  February,  1770,  an  effort  was  made  for  compulsory 
arbitration  in  a  motion  that  it  be  the  standing  rule  of  the 
Chamber  that  members  should  never  refuse  to  submit  all 
disputed  matters  of  accounts  that  they  might  be  concerned 
in  with  each  other,  or  any  other  persons  whomsoever,  to  the 
final  arbitrament  and  determination  of  the  Chamber  collec- 
tively, or  to  such  of  the  members  as  might  be  chosen  by  the 
parties,  on  pain  of  being  expelled  from  the  Chamber  and  dis- 
qualified from  being  ever  again  admitted  a  member  of  it. 
This  motion,  which  was  made  by  Isaac  Low,  one  of  the 
foimders,  was  never  brought  to  a  vote.  It  was  called  up 
once  afterward  and  referred  to  a  future  meeting  for  con- 


122        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

sideration,  and  was  not  heard  of  again.  Similar  proposal  was 
made  in  1787,  and  in  a  revision  of  the  by-laws  which  was 
adopted  on  September  18  of  that  year,  it  was  decreed  that 
any  member  refusing  to  submit  to  arbitration  either  of  the 
monthly  committee  or  of  such  of  the  members  as  may  be 
chosen  by  the  parties,  or  of  the  corporation  collectively, 
should  be  expelled.  An  effort  was  made  to  rescind  this  de- 
cree but  failed. 

An  interesting  light  is  thrown  upon  the  manner  in  which 
this  decree  worked  in  practice  by  a  minute  in  the  proceedings 
of  the  Chamber  forty  years  later,  on  January  6, 1829.  A  com- 
mittee had  been  appointed  to  consider  a  motion  to  so  amend 
the  resolution  of  September  18,  1787,  as  to  limit  compulsory 
arbitration  to  disputes  in  which  the  amount  involved  did 
not  exceed  one  hundred  dollars.  In  its  report  the  committee 
said  that  its  members  cordially  approved  the  proposed  amend- 
ment, yet,  as  in  practice  the  resolution  of  1787  had  been  ob- 
solete for  a  long  time,  in  their  opinion  it  would  be  inexpedient 
now  to  revive  any  resolution  or  other  regulation  which  would 
compel  the  members  upon  pain  of  expulsion  to  submit  their 
disputes  to  the  decision  of  the  Chamber  or  to  any  committee 
of  the  same.  The  report  was  adopted,  and  compulsory  arbi- 
tration was  allowed  to  sleep  the  sleep  of  the  obsolete  undis- 
turbed. 

An  effort  in  the  direction  of  publicity  was  made  in  April, 
181 7,  when  it  was  decreed  that  the  names  of  persons  having 
disputes  before  the  arbitration  committee  should  be  published 
in  the  newspapers,  but  no  publication  of  the  kind  can  be  found. 
Five  years  later,  in  1822,  when  monthly  meetings  of  the 
Chamber  had  been  superseded  by  bimonthly  ones,  it  was 
decided  to  replace  the  monthly  arbitration  committee  with  a 
standing  conmiittee  of  arbitration,  consisting  of  five  mem- 
bers, one  of  whom  should  be  a  Vice-President  of  the  Chamber 
and  act  as  chairman,  the  other  four  to  be  elected  by  ballot  at 
the  annual  meeting.    The  first  standing  committee  was  elected 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        123 

on  May  22.  In  April,  1840,  a  further  and  more  radical  change 
was  made.  The  standing  committee  was  renamed  "Com- 
mittee of  Arbitration,"  was  to  consist  of  five  members,  one 
to  serve  as  chairman  for  a  period  of  one  year  and  to  be  elected 
by  ballot  at  the  annual  meeting;  four  others  to  be  elected  by 
ballot  at  monthly  meetings,  one  retiring  each  month  and  a 
successor  elected;  neither  the  Chairman  nor  any  member  to 
be  eligible  for  a  new  term  till  after  the  lapse  of  a  year.  A 
new  standing  committee,  called  "Committee  of  Appeals," 
was  constituted  to  which  appeals  might  be  made  from  decisions 
by  the  Committee  of  Arbitration.  This  conmiittee  was  to 
consist  of  the  President,  first  and  second  Vice-Presidents, 
Treasurer,  and  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Arbitration. 
No  appeal  could  be  made  from  a  decision  of  the  Committee 
of  Arbitration  in  which  the  amount  involved  did  not  exceed 
one  hundred  dollars,  and  notice  of  intention  to  appeal  must 
be  given  within  ten  days. 

The  first  refusal  to  abide  by  a  decision  of  the  Committee 
of  Arbitration  which  appears  in  the  minutes  occurred  in  Sep- 
tember, 1844.  The  person  against  whom  an  award  had  been 
decreed  refused  to  pay  it  on  the  ground  that  the  committee 
had  exceeded  its  authority  in  summoning  and  examining  wit- 
nesses. The  Committee  of  Appeals  declined  to  hear  the  case 
and  referred  it  to  the  Chamber  for  action.  The  Chamber, 
after  long  delay,  in  April,  1849,  amended  the  by-laws,  author- 
izing the  Committee  of  Arbitration  to  hear  witnesses,  each 
party  to  the  dispute  to  pay  such  fees  as  the  committee  might 
deem  reasonable. 

Both  the  Arbitration  Committee  and  the  Committee  of 
Appeals  were  employed  frequently  and  in  the  main  gave  satis- 
faction. The  weak  points  in  the  system  were  that  parties 
withdrew  after  arbitration  had  begun  and  before  an  award 
had  been  made,  and  that  no  method  existed  for  enforcing 
awards. 

In  i86i  the  State  Legislature  passed  an  act  under  which 


124        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

the  decisions  of  the  Committee  of  Arbitration  could  be  made 
the  basis  of  a  judgment  in  a  Court  of  Record.  The  plan 
authorized  by  this  act  was  followed  by  the  Chamber  for 
twelve  years  and  proved  to  be  the  most  satisfactory  so  far 
tried.  In  1874  the  Legislature  passed  an  act  creating  a 
Court  of  Arbitration.  This  was  amended  in  1875  by  con- 
ferring additional  powers.  Under  it  the  Governor  appointed 
an  official  arbitrator  and  an  arbitration  clerk.  This  plan, 
under  which  Judge  Enoch  L.  Fancher  was  appointed  official 
arbitrator  and  the  Secretary  of  the  Chamber  was  appointed 
arbitration  clerk,  was  in  operation  till  1879,  when  it  was  sus- 
pended indefinitely  through  failure  of  the  Legislature  to  make 
an  appropriation  for  its  support.  It  was  impopular  because 
it  endeavored  to  cover  and  dispose  of  in  court  fashion  every 
kind  of  commercial  dispute,  and  gave  to  the  merchants  of 
New  York  a  court  whose  creation  was  declared  to  be  class 
legislation. 

For  several  years  after  the  suspension  of  this  plan  very 
little  attention  was  paid  to  the  question  of  arbitration  by  the 
Chamber.  In  March,  19 10,  a  special  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  consider  the  need  of  re-establishing  a  Court  or  Com- 
mittee of  Arbitration,  and,  if  such  need  existed,  to  report  a 
plan.  This  conmiittee  made  a  report  in  January,  191 1,  in 
which  it  presented  a  plan  of  arbitration  that  was  adopted  and 
has  since  been  in  successful  operation.  In  its  report  the  com- 
mittee expressed  the  opinion  that  "dependence  on  the  Legis- 
lature for  support,  in  the  effort  to  make  the  award  a  binding 
one,  is  the  rock  on  which  most  arbitration  plans  of  this  Cham- 
ber have  come  to  grief.  The  enforcement  of  the  award  is 
recognized  by  your  Committee  as  of  great  importance,  but 
after  consideration  it  believes  that  to  rest  the  entire  plan 
upon  this  phase  of  it  is  equivalent  to  sacrificing  the  whole  to 
save  a  part." 

Summed  up  briefly,  the  plan  proposed  a  Committee  of 
Arbitration,  chosen  by  the  Chamber,  to  which  any  matter  in 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        125 

controversy  could  be  referred  by  disputants  who  should  choose 
voluntarily  to  appeal  to  it  for  decision  and  who  should  sign 
an  agreement,  provided  by  the  committee,  not  to  withdraw 
from  the  arbitration  after  it  had  been  begun,  and  to  abide  by 
the  decision.  The  committee  was  required  to  compile  and 
revise  from  time  to  time  a  list  of  not  less  than  fifty  qualified 
persons,  members  of  the  Chamber,  who  were  willing  to  act 
as  arbitrators  under  the  rules.  Disputants  could  select  an 
arbitrator  or  arbitrators,  from  the  committee  or  from  the  list 
of  fifty,  or  submit  their  case  to  the  full  committee.  The  com- 
mittee had  power  to  make  its  own  rules  and  regulations  and 
to  fix  a  schedule  of  moderate  fees  to  be  paid  by  the  disputants. 
The  Secretary  of  the  Chamber  was  to  be  the  clerk  of  the 
committee.  The  committee  and  other  arbitrators  were  re- 
quired to  take  the  usual  oath  of  office. 

From  the  outset  the  committee  demonstrated  that  it  met  a 
general  desire,  for  the  kind  of  adjudication  which  it  offered. 
During  its  first  year  it  disposed  of,  either  through  the  com- 
mittee itself  or  through  arbitrators  chosen  from  the  Chamber's 
list,  a  large  nimiber  of  important  disputes,  including  one  be- 
tween the  Public  Service  Commission  and  subway  contractors. 
In  every  instance,  there  was  a  speedy  trial  and  quick  decision, 
and  every  decision  was  accepted  by  both  parties  and  a  settle- 
ment made.  In  addition  to  disputes  arbitrated,  nearly  one 
hundred  others  were  settled  by  the  committee  through  con- 
ciliatory mediation.  This  experience  has  been  repeated  in 
varying  degrees  in  the  six  subsequent  years.  The  variety  of 
disputes  covers  a  very  wide  field  and  has  involved  amounts 
varying  from  sixty-nine  cents  to  two  million  eight  hundred 
thousand  dollars.  All  have  been  settled  with  privacy,  ex- 
cept in  a  very  few  instances  when  publicity  was  not  objected 
to  by  the  disputants,  and  with  despatch  and  economy.  In 
only  one  instance  did  a  disputant  attempt  to  withdraw  be- 
fore a  decision  was  rendered,  and  he  was  easily  convinced  of 
the  unwisdom  of  such  a  course. 


126        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

The  secret  of  the  success  of  the  system  lies  in  the  fact  that 
the  character  of  the  Chamber  is  the  foundation  upon  which 
it  rests.  This  was  recognized  by  the  committee  in  its  report 
of  May  4, 1 91 6,  in  which  it  said  that  "one  of  the  most  gratify- 
ing experiences  which  your  committee  has  had  in  meeting  men 
coming  to  us  with  their  problems  is  the  exhibition  of  com- 
plete confidence  in  the  Chamber's  even-handed  and  imbiased 
attitude." 

By  far  the  larger  part  of  the  committee's  effectiveness  con- 
sists in  settling  cases  without  formal  arbitration,  or  by  con- 
ciliatory mediation,  usually  by  getting  the  disputants  to- 
gether for  a  frank  conference.  Of  these  cases  the  committee 
reported  in  191 7  that  while  there  was  in  the  settlement  noth- 
ing binding  but  a  gentleman's  word  of  honor,  it  had  yet  to 
hear  of  a  case  in  which  the  agreement  had  not  been  scrupu- 
lously observed.  "Your  Committee  is  convinced  that  the 
friendly  intervention  of  our  Chamber  acts  as  an  almost  irre- 
sistible moral  force." 

Applications  for  arbitration  are  not  confined  to  New  York 
City,  nor,  indeed,  to  the  country,  but  come  from  various 
foreign  lands  as  well.  The  reputation  of  the  Chamber's 
system  has  extended  to  all  parts  of  the  United  States  and  to 
South  America  and  Europe,  and  there  are  constant  inquiries 
for  information  about  its  methods  and  for  advice  in  the  es- 
tablishment of  like  systems  elsewhere.  Through  its  influ- 
ence similar  tribunals  have  been  established  in  several 
Western  and  Southern  States,  and  an  Arbitration  Committee 
was  created  in  the  New  York  State  Bar  Association,  with 
which  the  Arbitration  Committee  of  the  Chamber  held 
conferences  and  subsequently  issued  a  joint  report  entitled 
*'  Rules  for  the  Prevention  of  Unnecessary  Litigation  "  that 
was  published  in  pamphlet  form  and  very  widely  circulated. 
It  also  entered  into  correspondence  with  European  Chambers 
of  Commerce  and  other  organizations  in  the  interest  of  in- 
ternational arbitration  and  has  outlined  a  plan  for  such  a 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        127 

system.  In  its  report  for  191 7  the  committee  expressed  the 
opinion  that  there  was  developing  among  business  men  a 
conviction  that  an  honorable  and  manly  policy  to  pursue 
in  commercial  controversies  was  to  endeavor  to  adjust  them 
without  resort  to  the  courts;  and,  even  in  cases  where  re- 
course to  the  courts  was  necessary,  to  proceed  in  a  friendly 
spirit  and  with  a  desire  to  preserve  good- will  and  sound  com- 
mercial relations. 


CHAPTER  XXVI 
THE  ATLANTIC  CABLE 

SUPPORT  OF  THE  PROJECT  BY  THE  CHAMBER — RECOGNITION  OF 
CYRUS  W.  field's  SERVICES 

1858-1895 

The  Chamber  has,  with  excellent  reason,  always  regarded 
the  first  Atlantic  cable  as  an  enterprise  in  which  it  took  a 
leading  and  valuable  part.  Peter  Cooper  and  Cyrus  W.  Field, 
its  chief  projectors,  were  members  of  the  Chamber,  and  they 
secured  its  hearty  co-operation  in  the  work.  When  the  cable 
was  laid  in  1858,  a  special  meeting  was  called  on  April  21,  to 
"adopt  some  suitable  measures  of  respect  to  be  paid  to  Cap- 
tain Hudson  and  the  officers  of  the  Niagara,  together  with 
Cyrus  W.  Field  and  others,  connected  with  the  la3dng  of  the 
Atlantic  Telegraph  Cable."  Mr.  A.  A.  Low  introduced  a 
series  of  resolutions  in  a  brief  speech  which  expressed  the  fer- 
vid enthusiasm  that  the  successful  laying  of  the  cable  had 
aroused. 

The  resolutions   which   were  adopted  declared  that  the 

achievement,  as  the  great  event  of  the  age,  reflected  honor 

on  its  projectors;   united  two  continents  by  a  new  bond  of 

imion;    brought  two  kindred  nations  into  nearer  alliance; 

would  aid  Christianity's  best  development  by  making  peace 

and  concord  the  common  interest  of  all  nations;  and,  because 

of  the  care,  toil,  and  deep  anxiety  involved  in  the  effort  and 

of  its  final  triumph,  the  Chamber  would  accord  its  meed  of 

honor  to  Captain  Hudson  and  his  fellow  officers,  and  to  Mr. 

Field,  "who  has  been  the  means  of  bringing  into  successful 

combination  the  money  of  the  capitalist,  the  service  and  skill 

of  the  electrician,  and  the  indomitable  perseverance  of  the 

128 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        129 

sailor."  A  committee  was  appointed  to  consider  and  report 
upon  proper  testimonials  to  Captain  Hudson  and  his  fellow 
officers  of  the  cable-laying  ship,  and  the  captain,  with  Mr, 
Field,  Mr.  Caleb  Bristow,  Mr.  Underwood,  Mr.  Everett,  and 
Mr.  Woodhouse  were  elected  honorary  members  of  the 
Chamber.  The  committee  decided  upon  gold  medals  for  the 
persons  engaged  in  laying  the  cable  and  these  were  presented 
in  August,  1859. 

When  the  first  cable  broke  a  short  time  later,  the  Chamber 
urged  its  reconstruction  and  greatly  aided  in  having  a  second 
and  a  third  and  permanently  successful  one  laid  in  1866. 
When  the  triumph  was  finally  secured  the  Chamber  gave  a 
dinner  in  honor  of  Mr.  Field.  After  his  death  in  1892,  the 
Chamber,  believing  that  sufficient  recognition  had  not  been 
given  to  his  great  achievement,  requested  its  Executive  Com- 
mittee to  suggest  an  appropriate  memorial.  The  committee 
reported  that  knowing  the  desire  of  Mr.  Field  for  a  historical 
painting  in  which  the  lineaments  and  figures  of  the  projectors 
should  appear,  they  had  arranged  with  Daniel  Huntington  to 
execute  the  work. 

The  painting  was  completed  in  1895,  and  in  May  of  that 
year,  at  a  special  meeting  on  the  23d,  it  was  formally  pre- 
sented to  the  Chamber  by  Morris  K.  Jesup,  chairman 
of  the  special  committee.  In  presenting  it  Mr.  Jesup  read 
an  interesting  letter  from  Mr.  Huntington  in  which  he  said 
that  the  first  thought  of  a  picture  representing  the  projectors 
of  the  Atlantic  Telegraph  came  from  Mr.  Field,  who  had 
called  at  his  studio  soon  after  the  final  and  complete  success 
of  the  cable  of  1866,  and  consulted  him  about  painting  such  a 
group.  He  went  with  Mr.  Field  to  his  house  on  Gramercy 
Park,  and  sent  a  message  to  Mr.  Peter  Cooper,  who  came 
and  took  the  chair,  as  he  had  been  accustomed  to  preside. 
Mr.  Field  stood  by  the  table,  with  charts  and  globes  at 
hand,  as  he  usually  stood  when  explaining  his  plans  and  Mr. 
Huntington  made  sketches  for  the  proposed  picture. 


I30        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

A  letter  was  also  read  from  Justice  Stephen  J.  Field,  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  a  brother  of  Cyrus,  in 
which  he  expressed  regret  at  his  inability  to  be  present  and 
said  of  his  brother's  labors  that  the  "mere  conception  was 
almost  a  Divine  inspiration,  but  to  carry  it  into  execution  was 
the  work  of  twelve  laborious  years — ^years  interrupted  by  de- 
feats and  disappointments  that  would  have  broken  down  the 
courage  of  most  men." 

A  formal  address  was  made  by  Chauncey  M.  Depew,  in  the 
course  of  wliich  he  said  that  the  gentlemen  represented  in  the 
painting  were  splendid  examples  of  American  success,  and  gave 
a  brief  sketch  of  the  principal  ones.  Cyrus  Field,  the  son  of  a 
Connecticut  clergyman  who  had  naught  to  give  his  family 
but  an  education  and  an  example,  had  retired  from  business 
with  a  fortune  at  thirty-five.  His  brother,  David  Dudley, 
stood  in  the  front  rank  of  American  lawyers,  his  codifications 
of  law  having  secured  national  and  international  recognition. 
Marshall  0.  Roberts  had  ventured  with  equal  success  upon  the 
ocean  and  upon  the  land.  Wilson  G.  Hunt  was  a  conserva- 
tive, broad-minded,  and  eminently  successful  New  York 
merchant.  Moses  Taylor  was  one  of  the  most  far-sighted 
and  eminent  bankers  and  projectors  of  America.  Peter 
Cooper  had  overcome  almost  insurmountable  obstacles  to 
his  career,  and  at  ninety  years  of  age  was  still  quick  in  his 
sympathy  with  the  growth  of  the  city,  the  development  of 
his  country,  with  the  needs  of  mankind,  and  with  every 
effort  for  the  education  and  assistance  of  youth. 

"The  factors  presented  to  these  men  of  caution  and  of 
sense,"  said  Mr.  Depew,  "were,  a  letter  from  Lieutenant 
Maury,  of  the  United  States  Navy,  expressing  a  belief  in  a 
level  plateau  under  the  ocean  between  Newfoundland  and 
Ireland;  a  letter  from  Prof.  Morse,  then  radiant  with  the 
young  fame  of  his  successful  telegraph,  saying  that  though 
it  never  had  been  tried,  he  yet  believed  a  message  could  be 
transmitted  through  three  thousand  miles  of  wire;   and  the 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        131 

enthusiasm  and  confidence  of  C)mis  W.  Field.  *It  will  unite 
the  Old  World  and  the  New,  it  will  promote  peace  and  civiliza- 
tion, it  will  help  commerce,  it  will  bring  our  country  in  con- 
tact with  the  world,  and  upon  that  I  will  stake  my  reputation, 
my  imdivided  time  and  energies  and  my  fortune,'  said  Mr. 
Field.  'This  is  more  patriotism  than  business,'  was  the  an- 
swer of  his  guests,  'but  we  will  furnish  the  money  required. ' " 
A  brief  address  of  acceptance  was  made  by  Alexander  E. 
Orr,  President  of  the  Chamber. 


CHAPTER  XXVII 
THE  WASHINGTON  AND  SHERMAN  STATUES 

SECUEED  FOR  THE  CITY  BY  THE  CHAMBER — ^DEDICATION 
EXERCISES 

1883-1903 

The  city  is  indebted  to  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  for  two 
notable  public  statues — that  of  Washington  in  Wall  Street 
and  that  of  General  Sherman  at  the  Plaza  entrance  to  the 
Central  Park.  The  proposal  for  each  of  these  originated  in 
the  Chamber  and  through  its  efiforts  the  necessary  funds 
were  collected  and  the  project  consummated. 

Early  in  1880  when  the  question  of  commemorating  in  a 

suitable  manner  the  centennial  of  the  evacuation  of  the  city 

by  the  British,  November  25,  1783,  was  under  discussion, 

a  motion  was  made  in  the  Chamber  that  a  monument  be 

erected,  on  the  anniversary,  to  commemorate  the  inauguration 

of  George  Washington  as  first  President  of  the  United  States. 

The  motion  was  received  with  favor  and  a  committee  was 

appointed  to  carry  it  into  effect.     It  was  decided  that  the  most 

fitting  place  for  the  moniunent  was  the  spot  upon  which 

Washington  stood  when  he  took  the  oath  of  office.    As  the 

subtreasury  building  stands  on  the  site  occupied  by  the  old 

Federal  Hall,  on  the  balcony  of  which  Washington  took  the 

oath,  it  was  necessary  to  obtain  from  Congress  permission  to 

use  the  front  steps  of  the  subtreasury  for  the  purpose.    This 

was  readily  granted.    The  committee  sought  and  obtained 

from  eminent  artists  of  the  city  and  elsewhere  suggestions  as 

to  the  form  of  the  monument  and  from  these  it  reached  the 

conclusion  that  a  bronze  statue  of  Washington  was  the 

most  appropriate,  and  that  it  should  be,  "in  all  respects,  a 

132 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        133 

complete  embodiment  of  the  exalted  character  of  Washington, 
together  with  the  great  event  the  statue  commemorates," 
and  that  "no  expense  be  spared  to  make  it,  in  all  respects, 
worthy  of  the  cause."  J.  Q.  A.  Ward  was  engaged  to 
design  the  statue  and  its  accompaniments.  The  Chamber 
invited  the  pubUc  generally  to  contribute  to  the  fund  and 
asked  for  the  co-operation  of  various  commercial  bodies  in 
the  movement. 

As  the  25th  of  November  fell  on  Sunday,  the  dedication  ex- 
ercises were  held  on  Monday,  November  26, 1883.  In  spite  of 
a  heavy  storm  of  rain,  an  audience  of  several  thousand  persons 
assembled  to  witness  the  ceremonies  which  began  at  i  p.  m. 
There  were  many  distinguished  guests  including  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  Chester  A.  Arthur;  the  Governor 
of  the  State,  Grover  Cleveland;  the  Mayor  of  New  York, 
Franklin  Edson;  the  Mayor  of  Brooklyn,  Seth  Low;  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  Charles  J.  Folger,  and  the  Comp- 
troller of  the  Currency,  John  Jay  Klnox.  Mr.  George  W. 
Lane,  President  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  presided.  The 
statue  was  unveUed  by  Governor  Cleveland,  and  brief  ad- 
dresses were  made  by  President  Arthur,  Mr.  Lane,  and  Mr. 
Royal  Phelps,  chairman  of  the  committee  that  had  been  in 
charge  of  the  project.  President  Arthur  said  he  was  present 
merely  for  a  slight  and  formal  part  in  the  day's  exercises,  and 
aroused  enthusiastic  applause  by  adding: 

"I  have  come  to  this  historic  spot  where  the  first  President 
of  the  Republic  took  oath  to  preserve,  protect  and  defend 
its  Constitution,  simply  to  accept,  in  behalf  of  the  govern- 
ment, this  tribute  to  his  memory.  Long  may  the  noble 
statue  you  have  here  set  up  stand  where  you  have  placed  it, 
a  monument  alike  to  your  generosity  and  public  spirit,  and 
to  the  wisdom  and  virtue  and  genius  of  the  immortal  Wash- 
ington." 

The  oration  of  the  day  was  delivered  by  George  William 
Curtis  and  was  worthy  of  his  high  reputation  as  one  of  the 


134        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

most  scholarly  writers  and  eloquent  orators  of  his  time. 
The  limits  of  this  volume  do  not  permit  the  reproduction  in 
full  of  this  really  noble  flight  of  eloquence,  but  the  record 
would  be  incomplete  and  inexcusably  defective  without  some 
typical  citations  from  it.    A  few  are  appended: 

From  the  balcony  of  the  hall  that  stood  here  the  Declaration  of 
Independence  was  first  read  to  the  citizens  of  New  York,  and  al- 
though the  enemy's  fleet  had  entered  the  harbor,  the  people  as 
they  Ustened,  tore  down  the  royal  arms  from  the  walls  of  the  hall 
and  burned  them  in  the  street,  as  their  fiery  patriotism  was  about 
to  consume  the  royal  power  in  the  province.  Here,  sat  the  Con- 
tinental Congress  in  its  closing  days.  .  .  .  Yonder,  almost  within 
sound  of  my  voice,  still  stands  the  ancient  and  famous  inn  where 
the  Commander-in-Chief  tenderly  parted  with  his  officers,  and 
there,  over  the  way,  where  once  a  modest  mansion  stood,  the 
Federalist  was  chiefly  written.  The  very  air  about  this  hallowed 
spot  is  the  air  of  American  patriotism.  To  breathe  it,  charged 
with  such  memories,  is  to  be  inspired  with  the  loftiest  human  pur- 
pose, to  be  strengthened  for  the  noblest  endeavor.  By  the  most 
impressive  associations,  by  the  most  dignified  and  important  his- 
toric events,  was  this  place  dedicated  to  the  illustrious  transaction 
which  we  commemorate  to-day. 

What  scene  in  human  history  transcends  the  grandeur  and  the 
significance  of  that  consecration?  Gazing  upon  this  sculptured 
form,  and  remembering  that  this  was  the  very  hour  and  this 
the  place  of  the  sublime  event;  that  here,  imder  the  benignant 
arch  of  heaven,  Washington  appeared  to  take  the  oath  of  his  great 
office, — the  air  is  hushed,  even  the  joyous  tiunult  of  this  glad  day 
is  stilled,  the  familiar  scene  fades  from  before  our  eyes,  and  our 
awed  hearts  whisper  within  us:  "Put  off  thy  shoes  from  off  thy 
feet,  for  the  place  whereon  thou  standest  is  holy  gromid." 

The  streets,  the  windows,  the  roofs,  were  thronged  with  people, 
and,  drowning  my  feeble  voice,  surely  you  can  hear  the  vast  and 
prolonged  shout  that  saluted  the  hero.  Touched  to  the  heart  by 
the  affectionate  greeting,  he  advanced  to  the  railing,  and,  placing 
his  hand  upon  his  breast,  he  bowed  low,  and  then  for  a  moment, 
overwhelmed  by  emotion,  he  stepped  back  and  seated  himself 
amid  a  sudden  and  solemn  silence.  Then  he  arose,  and  coming 
forward,  his  majestic  and  commanding  frame  stood  upon  the 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        135 

identical  stone  upon  which  I  stand  at  this  moment,  and  which, 
fixed  fast  here  beneath  the  Statue,  will  remain,  in  the  eyes  of  all 
men,  an  imp)erishable  memorial  of  the  scene. 

Fellow-citizens,  the  solemn  dedication  of  Washington  to  this 
august  and  triumphant  task  is  the  event  which  this  Statue  will 
commemorate  to  unborn  generations.  Elsewhere,  in  bronze  and 
marble,  and  upon  glowing  canvas,  genius  has  delighted  to  invest 
with  the  immortality  of  art  the  best-beloved  and  most  familiar  of 
American  figures.  The  surveyor  of  the  Virginia  wilderness,  the 
leader  of  the  revolution,  the  president,  the  man,  are  known  of 
all  men;  they  are  everywhere  beheld  and  revered.  But  here,  at 
last,  upon  the  scene  of  the  crowning  event  of  his  life,  and  of  his 
country 's  life, — ^here,  in  the  throbbing  heart  of  the  great  city,  where 
it  will  be  daily  seen  by  countless  thousands,  here,  in  the  presence 
of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  of  the  Governor  of  New 
York,  of  the  official  authorities  of  other  States,  of  the  organized 
body  of  New  York  merchants  who,  as  in  other  years,  they  have  led 
the  dty  in  so  many  patriotic  deeds  upon  this  spot,  lead  now  in. 
this  commemoration  of  the  greatest;  and  finally,  of  this  vast  and 
approving  concourse  of  American  citizens,  we  raise  this  calm  and 
admonishing  form.  Its  majestic  repose  shall  charm  and  subdue 
the  multitudinous  life  that  heaves  and  murmurs  around  it,  and 
as  the  moon  draws  the  swaying  tides  of  ocean,  its  lofty  serenity 
shall  lift  the  hurrying  throng  to  unselfish  thoughts,  to  generous 
patriotism,  to  a  nobler  life.  Here  descended  upon  our  fathers  the 
benediction  of  the  personal  presence  of  Washington.  Here  may 
the  moral  grandeur  of  his  character  and  his  life  inspire  our  children's 
children  forever ! 

In  the  evening  of  the  same  day  the  Chamber  gave  a  banquet 
at  Delmomco's  in  commemoration  of  the  British  evacuation 
at  which  President  Arthur  and  other  illustrious  guests  who  had 
attended  the  exercises  in  Wall  Street  were  present,  together 
with  the  Governors  of  the  thirteen  original  States  and  a  large 
number  of  eminent  citizens.  President  Arthur  made  a  brief 
speech  which  was  a  graceful  recognition  of  the  Chamber's 
past  and  present  services  in  the  cause  of  patriotism: 

Gentlemen  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce:  I  thank  you  for  this 
kindly  greeting.    The  liberality  and  patriotism  of  the  merchants 


136        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

of  New  York  contributed  in  no  small  measure  to  the  triumph  of 
the  American  Revolution.  The  crowning  evidence  of  that  tri- 
umph was  the  glad  event  whose  one  hundredth  anniversary  we 
are  celebrating  to-day.  You  have  abundant  right  to  share  in 
that  celebration,  for  you  are  the  successors  of  those  patriotic  mer- 
chants who  so  signally  upheld  the  national  cause,  and  so  rejoiced 
at  the  final  withdrawal  of  all  armed  opposition  to  its  ascendancy. 
And  you  yourselves  have  given  indisputable  proof  that  the  fervor 
and  faith  of  the  fathers  have  abated  not  one  jot  or  tittle  in  the 
children,  and  that  you  are  ready  to  lend  your  support  to  every 
measure  which  is  calculated  to  promote  the  honor  and  credit 
and  glory  of  the  nation.  I  am  proud  to  meet  you,  and  again 
thank  you  heartily  for  the  warmth  of  this  reception. 

There  was  a  long  list  of  speakers,  including  Joseph  H. 
Choate,  who  said:  "When  I  read  this  toast  which  you  have 
just  drunk  in  honor  of  her  gracious  Majesty,  the  Queen  of 
Great  Britain,  and  heard  how  you  received  the  letter  of  the 
British  Minister  that  was  read  in  response,  and  how  heartily 
you  joined  in  singing  'God  save  the  Queen,'  when  I  look  up 
and  down  these  tables  and  see  among  you  so  many  repre- 
sentatives of  English  capital  and  English  trade,  I  have  my 
doubts  whether  the  evacuation  of  New  York  by  the  British 
was  quite  as  thorough  and  lasting  as  history  would  fain  have 
us  believe." 

Speeches  were  made  also  by  Governor  Cleveland,  Governor 
Benjamin  F.  Butler,  of  Massachusetts,  the  Reverend  Henry 
Ward  Beecher,  Governor  Thomas  W.  Waller,  of  Connecticut, 
and  J.  Q.  A.  Ward.  The  occasion  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant 
in  the  history  of  the  Chamber. 

A  no  less  valuable  gift  than  the  Washington  statue,  in  the 
same  field  of  artistic  adornment,  was  made  to  the  city  by 
the  Chamber  in  the  incomparable  equestrian  statue  of  Gen- 
eral W.  T.  Sherman,  by  Saint  Gaudens.  This  noble  work 
was  many  years  in  the  making,  for  the  artist  could  not  be 
hurried,  meeting  all  efforts  to  hasten  him  with  the  words: 
"I'm  thinking  about  it— you'll  be  satisfied  when  it  is  finished.'* 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        137 

Immediately  after  Sherman's  death  members  of  the  Cham- 
ber started  a  movement  to  erect  a  suitable  statue  in  his  mem- 
ory. He  had  during  his  closing  years  become  somewhat  in- 
timately associated  with  the  society.  He  was  frequently 
an  honored  guest  at  its  annual  banquets,  had  been  made  an 
honorary  member  of  it,  and  attended  its  monthly  meetings 
quite  regularly.  The  members  felt  that  they  owed  it,  not 
only  to  themselves  and  to  the  Chamber,  but  to  the  city  that 
his  great  services  to  the  nation  should  be  commemorated  in  a 
monument  that,  in  its  artistic  merits,  should  be  worthy  of 
him  and  an  honor  to  the  city.  A  meeting  was  called  in  the 
Chamber  on  March  2,  1891,  when  a  committee,  composed 
of  twelve  members,  was  formed  under  the  title  of  "Com- 
mittee of  the  Sherman  Statue  Fund."  By  universal  agree- 
ment, Augustus  Saint  Gaudens  was  decided  to  be  the  most 
desirable  sculptor  for  the  work.  The  committee  called  upon 
him  and  found  him  very  willing  to  imdertake  it.  An  agree- 
ment was  drawn  up  by  which  an  equestrian  statue  was  to  be 
completed  by  him  within  two  years.  Subscriptions  were 
easily  obtained  and  the  necessary  fund  was  raised  in  a  short 
time.  Finally,  Saint  Gaudens  completed  his  work  in  Paris 
and  it  was  exhibited  there  first,  in  colossal  size  and  in  plas- 
ter, holding  first  place  of  honor  in  the  Salon  in  1899.  When 
photographs  of  it  arrived  in  this  country,  the  members  of 
the  committee  who  were  still  living,  for  many  of  them  had 
died  in  the  meantime,  forgot,  in  their  admiration  of  the  re- 
sult, the  irritation  which  the  delay  had  caused.  Surely,  the 
end  had  crowned  the  work. 

The  statue  was  brought  to  New  York  and  additional  delay 
was  caused  through  the  refusal  of  the  municipal  park  authori- 
ties to  grant  a  suitable  site  for  it.  Finally,  in  1903,  imder  the 
administration  of  Mayor  Low,  a  site  was  granted  at  the  Fifth 
Avenue  entrance  to  the  Central  Park,  and  on  May  30  of  that 
year,  Decoration  Day,  it  was  unveiled  with  impressive  cere- 
monies.   Mr.  Cornelius  N.  Bliss,  Vice-President  of  the  Cham- 


138        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

ber  of  Commerce,  presided  and  presented  the  statue  to  the 
city  in  the  name  of  the  Chamber  and  other  civic  organiza- 
tions. Mayor  Low  accepted  it  in  a  formal  speech,  and  an 
address  was  delivered  by  the  Honorable  Elihu  Root.  The 
invocation  was  pronounced  by  Archbishop  Farley  and  the 
benediction  by  Bishop  Potter. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 
A  VISIT  TO  LONDON 

GUESTS  OF  THE  LONDON  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE — A  WEEK  OF 
ENTERTAINMENTS  WITH  A  NOTABLE  BANQUET 

1901 

Cordial  relations,  based  upon  a  mutual  desire  to  promote 
peace  and  good-will  between  the  two  nations,  have  always 
existed  between  the  Chamber  and  its  namesake  in  London. 
British  representatives,  official  and  private,  have  always  been 
heartily  welcomed  while  visiting  New  York  and  in  many  in- 
stances have  been  given  formal  receptions  by  the  Chamber 
at  which  it  has  had  the  highly  appreciated  privilege  of  hear- 
ing interesting  and  valuable  addresses  from  the  guests.  In 
May,  1899,  the  London  Chamber  of  Commerce,  in  recogni- 
tion of  these  many  courtesies,  formally  invited  the  New  York 
society  to  send  a  delegation  to  London  to  be  guests  at  a 
public  banquet  on  such  a  date  as  would  suit  their  con- 
venience. The  invitation  was  cordially  accepted,  but  because 
of  the  war  in  South  Africa,  and  the  Presidential  election  in  the 
United  States  in  1900,  the  date  was  not  fixed  till  1901,  when 
June  5  was  selected.  The  Chamber  chose  a  delegation  of 
thirty-eight  of  its  prominent  members,  headed  by  its  Presi- 
dent, Morris  K.  Jesup.  They  arrived  in  London  on  June 
I  and  were  the  recipients  of  distinguished  and  most  enjoy- 
able courtesies  during  their  week  of  sojourn.  Although  the 
Court  was  in  mourning  for  Queen  Victoria,  whose  death  had 
occurred  only  a  short  time  previous,  a  reception  was  arranged 
for  them  at  Windsor  Castle  at  which  the  King  and  Queen 
greeted  them  in  a  most  friendly  and  gracious  manner.  An 
official  reception  was  also  given  to  them  at  his  residence  by 
the  American  Ambassador,  Joseph  H.  Choate,  at  which  the 

139 


I40        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

most  eminent  men  in  ofl&cial  and  social  life  in  London,  as 
well  as  the  diplomatic  representatives  of  foreign  governments, 
were  present. 

The  banquet,  which  took  place  in  the  hall  of  the  Grocers' 
Guild,  one  of  the  oldest  of  the  merchants'  associations  of  Lon- 
don, was  attended  by  more  than  three  hundred  guests.  Lord 
Brassey,  President  of  the  London  Chamber,  presided,  with  the 
American  Ambassador,  Mr.  Choate,  on  his  right.  The  Mar- 
quis of  Lansdowne,  Secretary  of  State  for  Foreign  Affairs, 
responded  to  the  toast,  "The  President  of  the  United  States," 
and  in  beginning  his  speech  said:  "I  think  I  may  say  to  all 
the  subjects  of  His  Majesty,  it  requires  an  effort  to  think  of 
our  relations  with  the  United  States  of  America  as  foreign 
relations,"  a  sentiment  that  was  greeted  with  cheers. 

Lord  Brassey  proposed  the  toast,  "Our  friends  of  the  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New  York,"  and  in  the  course 
of  his  remarks  said:  "We  give  a  warm  welcome  to  our  guests 
for  many  reasons.  We  welcome  them  as  representatives  of 
the  skill  and  the  enterprise  which  have  turned  the  vast  re- 
sources of  the  American  continent  to  the  service  of  man. 
We  of  this  old  country  are  largely  sharers  in  the  benefits  of 
that  skill  and  that  enterprise.  Our  teeming  millions  could  not 
live  without  the  food  which  America  produces."  Continu- 
ing, he  paid  a  high  tribute  to  the  New  York  Chamber,  saying 
of  it:  "It  is  something  more  than  an  organization  of  men 
engaged  in  commerce.  Its  members  stand  at  all  times  ready 
to  apply  their  knowledge  of  affairs  and  their  skill  as  adminis- 
trators to  wider  matters  than  the  mere  pursuit  of  gain; 
and  when  they  speak  they  speak  with  weight  and  authority. 
Not  long  ago  a  suitable  occasion  offered.  When  difficulties 
had  arisen  in  relation  to  Venezuela,  the  London  Chamber  of 
Coramerce  appealed  to  the  New  York  Chamber  to  use  their 
good  offices  in  the  cause  of  a  peaceful  solution.  They  re- 
sponded to  the  call.  We  desired  to  mark  our  deep  sense  of  the 
service  rendered.    It  has  brought  us  together  this  evening." 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS         141 

Mr.  Jesup,  who  was  called  upon  by  Lord  Brassey  to  re- 
spond for  the  New  York  Chamber,  made  a  speech  which 
created  the  most  profound  impression  of  the  evening.  Speak- 
ing of  the  many  acts  of  friendship  that  Americans  had  received 
from  Englishmen,  he  disclosed  this  extremely  interesting  bit  of 
im written  history  in  connection  with  the  Chamber: 

I  remember,  and  I  say  it  with  infinite  gratitude,  that  in  the 
year  1837,  when  our  coimtry  was  passing  through  a  disastrous 
financial  distress,  when  our  banks  had  suspended  specie  payments 
and  when  our  people  were  discouraged,  that  one  of  our  loyal  and 
most  faithful  citizens,  Mr.  James  Gore  King,  afterwards  the  Pres- 
ident of  oiu:  Chamber,  visited  London,  and,  by  his  high  character, 
so  impressed  your  financial  men  that  the  Bank  of  England  ad- 
vanced one  million  pounds  sterling  in  sovereigns  and  sent  the  same 
by  packet  to  New  York  imder  the  control  of  Mr.  King,  to  enable 
the  banks  in  New  York  to  resume  specie  payments,  and  thus  re- 
store confidence  to  our  commvmity.  That  bank  did  a  most  kindly 
and  magnanimous  thing.  No  stipulation  was  made  as  to  the  re- 
turn of  that  money;  neither  did  they  expect  or  ask  for  any  reward. 
It  was  a  kindly  act,  and  one  that  will  never  be  forgotten. 

The  Right  Honorable  Lord  Avebury,  President  of  the  Asso- 
ciation of  Chambers  of  Commerce  of  the  United  Kingdom,  and 
Vice-President  of  the  London  Chamber  of  Commerce;  the 
Right  Honorable  William  J.  Pirrie,  of  Belfast;  the  Right 
Honorable  Lord  Alverstone,  Lord  Chief  Justice  of  England; 
Albert  G.  Sandeman,  ex-Governor  of  the  Bank  of  Eng- 
land; Mr.  Choate,  Andrew  Carnegie,  A.  Barton  Hepburn, 
A.  Foster  Higgins,  and  Clement  A.  Griscom  also  made 
speeches. 

Mr.  Pirrie,  who  as  the  representative  of  English  manu- 
factures, spoke  to  the  toast  of  "  Commerce  and  Manufactures," 
said  in  the  course  of  his  speech:  "As  a  manufacturer,  or  at 
least  one  engaged  all  my  life  in  a  large  industrial  business,  I 
have  nothing  but  admiration  for  the  way  in  which  our  Amer- 
ican friends  have  made  necessity  the  mother  of  invention  in 


142        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

manufactures,  and  have,  out  of  their  inventive  genius  and 
power  of  resource,  evolved  machinery  that  has  revolution- 
ized the  workshop." 

Mr.  Hepburn,  who  like  Mr.  Pirrie  spoke  on  the  toast 
"Commerce  and  Manufactures,"  paid  this  glowing  tribute  to 
England,  which  was  received  with  cheers:  "The  commercial 
prosperity  of  a  nation  is  largely  dependent  upon  its  land  and 
sea  power.  That  government  is  best  which,  being  strongest, 
utilizes  its  power  to  promote  those  cordial  principles,  liberty 
and  justice,  upon  which  all  true  prosperity  is  based.  Great 
Britain,  in  extending  its  dominion,  is  entitled  to  this  en- 
comium. Wherever  the  British  flag  has  been  planted,  ma- 
terial, moral,  and  financial  advancement  has  inevitably  fol- 
lowed. A  high  sense  of  commercial  honor,  the  inviolability 
of  contract,  and  the  open  door  are  among  the  blessings  that 
follow  British  rule." 

Mr.  Choate  spoke  briefly,  saying:  "I  rise  to  propose  a 
loyal  benediction  in  offering  the  last  toast  in  honor  of  the  Lon- 
don Chamber,  which  I  shaU  do  without  more  ado,  and  in  as 
few  words  as  possible.  This  London  Chamber  of  Commerce 
have  done  a  noble  and  magnanimous  act  in  thus  extending  the 
right  hand  of  friendship  to  the  most  formidable  rivals  they 
have  in  the  kindred  nation  across  the  sea,  an  act  of  friendship 
which,  I  believe,  speaks  the  true  sentiments  of  the  vast  ma- 
jority of  the  people  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic  toward  the 
other  nation.  It  confirms  the  conviction  that  rests  strongly 
in  my  mind  that  commerce,  no  matter  what  has  been  its  his- 
tory in  the  past,  is  now,  and  in  the  future  will  be,  the  real 
pacifier,  the  peacemaker,  the  blessing,  the  common  and  mutual 
blessing  of  aU  mankind." 

On  the  day  following  the  banquet,  June  6,  Lord  Brassey 
gave  a  private  reception  to  the  American  delegates  at  his 
residence  which  was  attended  by  a  large  munber  of  dis- 
tinguished guests.  On  June  7  the  Lord  Mayor  of  London 
received  the  delegates  at  the  Mansion  House.    The  visitors 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        143 

were  introduced  to  the  Lord  Mayor  by  Lord  Brassey  in  a  brief 
speech  to  which  the  Lord  Mayor  responded.  Mr.  Jesup  spoke 
a  few  words  in  behalf  of  his  associates,  saying:  "I  speak  the 
sentiments  of  their  hearts  as  well  as  my  own  when  I  say  that 
the  kindnesses  we  have  received  in  various  ways  since  our 
arrival  in  London  have  captivated  our  hearts.  We  are  the 
children  of  this  great  country,  and  coming  here  is  like  coming 
home." 

Lnmediately  following  the  Lord  Mayor's  reception  the  dele- 
gates were  entertained  at  a  luncheon  by  the  London  Cham- 
ber, presided  over  by  Mr.  Sandeman.  Speeches  were  made 
by  him  and  by  Mr.  Thomas  L.  BlackweU,  of  the  London  Cham- 
ber, and  by  Mr.  Carnegie  and  Mr.  Jesup  in  reply.  A  photo- 
graph of  the  delegates  and  their  hosts  was  taken  at  the  dose 
of  the  exercises  on  the  steps  of  the  hall  in  which  it  had  been 
held. 

In  an  address  which  he  made  a  few  months  later  at  the 
annual  dinner  of  the  New  York  Chamber,  Mr.  Choate  said  of 
the  London  visit  that  it  was  a  truly  notable  event,  that  the 
delegates  from  the  New  York  Chamber  were  in  London  as 
the  "representatives  of  a  nation  more  prosperous  than  in  any 
previous  period  of  its  history,  and,  may  I  not  say,  more  pros- 
perous than  any  other  nation  of  which  we  now  have  any 
knowledge."  Concerning  Mr.  Jesup's  speech,  Mr.  Choate 
paid  him  this  fine  compliment:  "He  stood  in  the  presence, 
I  may  say,  of  the  British  nation,  of  all  that  represented  its 
power  and  its  commerce,  and  made  one  of  the  most  felicitous 
addresses  to  which  it  has  ever  been  my  pleasure  to  listen." 

The  above  account  of  this  memorable  visit  is  necessarily 
little  more  than  an  outline.  A  full  report  of  all  the  incidents, 
with  the  text  of  the  speeches  at  the  banquets  and  receptions 
and  membership  the  American  delegation,  v/as  published  in 
1901  by  the  Chamber  in  an  attractive  volume,  entitled  "A 
Pledge  of  Litemational  Friendship." 


CHAPTER  XXrX 
EARLY  HOMES  OF  THE  CHAMBER 

FAMOUS    HISTORIC    BUILDINGS    WHICH    IT    HAS    OCCUPIED — ^ITS 
LATER  TEMPORARY  ABODES 

I 768-1 902 

Several  of  the  buildings  in  which  the  Chamber  passed  the 
first  half-century  of  its  corporate  existence  were  the  scenes  of 
events  which  hold  first  rank  in  the  history,  not  only  of  the  city 
of  New  York  but  of  the  country.  Only  one  of  them  remains 
to-day,  but  the  fame  of  all  of  them,  intimately  associated  as 
it  is  with  the  birth  of  the  nation  as  a  free  and  independent 
republic,  will  endure  as  long  as  history  is  written  or  read. 
Coffee-rooms  or  restaurants  were  the  assembly-rooms  of 
the  day,  for  no  others  existed.  In  them  the  people  of  the  city 
came  together  for  social  intercourse  and  conviviality,  or  to 
give  formal  expression  of  opinion  on  public  affairs.  New 
York  of  the  colonial  days  was  a  convivial  community.  Its 
members  loved  to  eat  and  drink  together,  to  season  their  talk 
with  cheer  for  the  inner  man. 

It  was  inevitable,  therefore,  that  when  the  society  of  mer- 
chants desired  a  meeting-place  for  their  proceedings  they  must 
seek  it  in  a  tavern  or  coffee-house.  The  principal  one  at  the 
time  was  Bolton  &  Sigel's  restaurant,  known  even  to  the  pres- 
ent day  as  "Fraunces's  Tavern."  The  building,  restored 
practically  to  its  original  form,  through  the  patriotic  services 
of  the  Society  of  the  Sons  of  the  Revolution,  still  stands  under 
that  name  at  the  corner  of  Pearl  and  Broad  Streets.  It  was 
built  by  Etienne  de  Lancey,  as  a  private  residence,  in  17 19, 
and  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  finest  houses  in  the  city.  There 
has  been  some  uncertainty  as  to  the  exact  year  of  its  construc- 

144 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS         145 

tion,  but  this  has  been  removed  by  the  discovery  in  the  min- 
utes of  the  Common  Council  of  New  York  of  this  entry  under 
date  of  April  14,  17 19:  "Mr.  de  Lancey  applies  for  a  small 
strip  of  land  to  make  his  lot  more  regular  in  shape  as  he  is 
now  going  to  build  a  large  brick  house."  It  is  added  that  he 
was  granted  three  and  a  half  feet  at  one  comer  to  straighten 
the  lot  and  for  the  better  regulation  of  said  street  and  build- 
ing. The  location  was  given  as  Broad  and  Dock  Streets. 
Dock  was  later  changed  to  Queen,  and  still  later  Queen  was 
changed  to  Pearl.  It  was  built  on  the  Broad  Street  side 
of  yellow  brick  brought  from  Amsterdam,  and  on  the  Pearl 
Street  side  of  English  red  brick.  It  was  used  as  a  residence 
by  members  of  the  De  Lancey  family  till  1757,  and  from  that 
date  till  1763  as  a  warehouse  and  store.  In  the  latter  year  it 
was  sold  to  Samuel  Francis,  an  innkeeper,  who  converted  it 
into  a  tavern  called  the  "Queen's  Head"  or  "Queen  Char- 
lotte's Tavern,"  in  honor  of  the  wife  of  George  III.  Francis 
was  a  West  Indian  of  French  extraction  who,  because  of  his 
swarthy  complexion,  was  sometimes  called  "Black  Sam,"  a 
title  which  has  led  some  historical  writers  to  speak  of  him 
erroneously  as  a  negro. 

The  building  passed  into  the  hands  of  Bolton  &  Sigel  (some- 
times spelled  Sigell)  in  1767  and  they  were  in  charge  of  it 
when  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  was  founded  there  in  the 
following  year.  In  1770  Francis,  who  had  leased  it  to  them, 
retook  possession,  announcing  that  he  had  "refitted  it  in  the 
most  genteel  and  convenient  manner  for  the  reception  of  those 
gentlemen,  ladies,  and  others  who  used  to  favor  him  with  their 
company."  He  continued  in  charge  till  the  Revolution  was 
declared,  when  he  joined  the  American  army,  remaining  with 
it  during  the  war. 

There  are  many  conflicting  accoimts  as  to  the  size  of  the 
original  building,  due  to  changes  which  were  made  in  it  many 
years  later  and  to  pictures  which  present  it  in  its  transformed 
condition.    All  doubt  on  the  point  is  removed  by  the  descrip- 


146        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

tion  which  Francis  himself  gave  when  he  offered  the  building 
for  sale  in  1775.  His  advertisement  read:  "The  Queen's 
Head  Tavern  is  three  stories  high,  with  a  tile  and  lead  roof, 
has  fourteen  fireplaces,  a  most  excellent  large  kitchen,  five 
dry  cellars,  with  good  convenient  offices,  &c." 

During  the  Revolution  a  round  shot  from  a  British  frigate 
went  through  the  roof  of  the  building,  and  the  incident  was 
immortalized  by  Philip  Freneau,  the  poet  of  the  period: 

"Scarce  a  broadside  was  ended  till  another  began  again — 
By  Jove !    It  was  nothing  but  fire  away  Flanagan ! 
Some  thought  him  saluting  his  Sallys  and  Nancys 
^Til  he  drove  a  roxmd  shot  through  the  roof  of  Sam  Francis." 

Francis  joined  General  Washington  on  the  way  to  New 
York  in  1783,  after  peace  was  declared,  and  returned  with 
him  to  the  city.  He  at  once  reclaimed  and  secured  his  prop- 
erty and  reopened  the  house  under  the  name  of  "Fraxmces's 
Tavern,"  spelling  his  name  in  that  way  for  the  first  time.  It 
is  evident  that  Washington  had  a  liking  for  Francis,  for  while 
he  was  living  at  the  Franklin  House,  in  Cherry  Street,  which 
was  the  President's  house  for  a  time,  he  had  him  as  steward 
and  later  took  him  with  him  to  Philadelphia  when  that 
city  was  made  the  capital,  retaining  him  in  his  service  till 

1794. 

The  tavern  was  the  scene  of  many  stirring  incidents  pre- 
ceding and  during  the  Revolution.  In  April,  1774,  when  the 
excitement  about  non-importation  was  at  its  height,  the 
Sons  of  Liberty  and  the  Vigilance  Committee  met  in  the  Long 
Room  to  protest  against  allowing  English  vessels  with  cargoes 
of  tea  aboard  to  land  them.  Some  accounts  say  that  while  in 
session  news  was  received  that  the  London^  a  ship  with  tea 
aboard,  had  just  docked  at  the  East  India  Company's  wharf 
near  by,  and  that  the  members  adjourned  in  a  body  to  the 
wharf  and  threw  the  tea  overboard,  thus  making  a  "tea- 
party"  to  rival  the  Boston  one.    Other  accounts  say  that  the 


>  n 

SI 

a: 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        147 

vessels  were  not  allowed  to  land  their  cargoes  and  were  sent 
away. 

On  May  14,  1774,  a  meeting  of  merchants  assembled  in  the 
Long  Room  to  consider  the  question  of  uniting  with  the  other 
colonies  in  a  call  for  a  Congress  of  the  colonies.  The  atten- 
dance proving  to  be  too  large  for  the  room,  an  adjournment 
was  made  to  the  Merchants'  Coffee  House,  where  a  Com- 
mittee of  Correspondence  was  appointed  and  who,  on  May 
23,  issued  the  famous  letter  in  which  the  idea  of  a  union 
of  the  Colonies  was  first  expressed.  In  August,  1774,  the 
Massachusetts  delegates  to  the  Continental  Congress  in 
Philadelphia  were  entertained  by  the  New  York  delegates 
at  a  banquet  in  the  Long  Room.  The  remarks  of  John 
Adams  on  the  banquet  and  other  subjects  connected  with  the 
visit  are  set  forth  in  a  preceding  chapter  of  this  work. 

The  Third  Provincial  Congress  held  its  sessions  in  the 
Long  Room  from  May  18  to  Jime  30,  1776,  a  fact  which  is 
not  generally  known,  but  is  attested  by  the  records  and  also 
by  a  bill  for  entertainment  paid  to  Francis. 

But  the  supreme  claim  of  the  old  tavern  to  the  title  of 
shrine  in  American  history  lies  in  the  fact  that  it  was  the 
headquarters  of  Washington  when  he  entered  the  city  on  the 
heels  of  the  retiring  British  army.  On  that  day,  November 
25, 1783,  Governor  Clinton  gave  him  a  banquet  in  the  famous 
Long  Room  in  celebration  of  the  event,  and  on  December 
4  following,  in  the  same  Long  Room,  he  took  farewell  of  his 
officers  in  one  of  the  most  affecting  scenes  in  history. 

On  February  2,  1790,  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United 
States  was  opened  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  in  the  eve- 
ning the  Grand  Jury  of  the  United  States  for  the  district 
"gave  a  very  elegant  entertainment  in  honor  of  the  court 
at  the  tavern,"  which  was  attended  by  national  and  city 
dignitaries,  members  of  Congress,  gentlemen  of  the  bar,  and 
leading  citizens.  The  guests  were  John  Jay,  of  New  York, 
Chief   Justice,  with   Justices  William  Cushing,  of  Massa- 


148        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

chusetts,  James  Wilson,  of  Pennsylvania,  Robert  Harrison, 
and  John  Blair,  of  Virginia. 

The  building  has  been  damaged  by  fire  several  times.  In 
1832  its  interior  was  partly  burned  out  and  a  flat  roof  was 
added.  In  1837  there  was  another  conflagration,  and  in 
1852  the  most  serious  of  the  series  virtually  destroyed  the 
eastern  end  on  Pearl  Street.  In  repairing  it,  what  was  left 
of  its  original  architectural  merit  was  completely  obliterated 
by  the  imposition  of  two  additional  stories  with  a  flat  roof, 
alterations  which  converted  it  into  as  ordinary  and  common- 
place a  five-story  barrack-appearing  structure  as  could  be 
found  anywhere.  Photographs  of  it  at  this  period  are  familiar 
in  Valentine's  Maniml  and  other  publications,  and  very  sad 
exhibits  they  are  of  the  awful  possibilities  of  so-called  "mod- 
em improvement"  in  the  hands  of  a  practical  contractor. 

The  city  and  the  nation  owe  a  lasting  debt  of  gratitude  to 
the  Society  of  the  Sons  of  the  Revolution  for  rescuing  this 
most  interesting  and  venerable  building  from  the  hands  of  the 
destroyer.  Under  the  reverent  and  intelligent  guidance  of 
Mr.  William  H.  Mersereau,  the  building  has  been  completely 
restored  and  stands  to-day  as  it  stood  when  first  constructed 
nearly  two  centuries  ago.  All  the  additions  were  removed, 
the  coating  put  upon  the  old  bricks  as  improvement,  was 
scraped  off,  and  upon  the  original  skeleton  thus  revealed  the 
ancient  body  was  reconstructed.  This  process  of  restoration 
was  greatiy  helped  by  the  preservation  of  the  old  roof  lines 
and  rafters.  Modem  bricks  and  stones  which  had  been 
added  were  removed,  yellow  bricks  to  match  the  original 
ones  were  sought  and  obtained  in  Holland,  and  red  bricks  of 
the  original  shape  and  color  were  found  in  old  buildings  in 
Baltimore.  The  first  floor  was  raised  to  its  former  level,  the 
windows  were  made  to  conform  to  the  original  ones,  and  the 
Long  Room,  which  is  on  the  second  floor,  was  restored  to  its 
original  dimensions,  forty-three  feet  in  length  by  thirty  in 
width,  with  its  fireplaces  in  brick  at  each  end.    All  the  origi- 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS        149 

nal  timbers  were  retained  above  and  below  the  Long  Room, 
and  every  brick  and  piece  of  lumber  of  the  original  building, 
so  far  as  possible,  was  left  in  place.  The  present  appearance 
of  the  building  is  believed  to  be  practically  the  same  as  dur- 
ing the  Revolution,  The  Long  Room  has  such  a  perfect 
atmosphere  of  age,  is  so  pervaded  with  the  spirit  of  tradi- 
tion, that  one  feels,  as  he  stands  in  front  of  the  fireplace 
where  Washington  stood  in  that  farewell  scene,  an  emotion 
like  that  which  every  American  experiences  when  he  visits 
Moimt  Vernon.  This  is  especially  the  effect  upon  members 
of  the  Chamber  of  Coramerce  who  visit  it  and  read  upon 
the  bronze  tablet  above  that  fireplace  the  inscription  declar- 
ing it  to  have  been  the  birthplace  of  their  society. 

The  second  home  of  the  Chamber  was  in  the  Royal  Ex- 
change, a  building  that  stood  upon  brick  stilts,  or  arches,  at 
the  lower  end  of  Broad  Street  in  a  line  with  Water  Street. 
It  replaced  a  former  structure  which  consisted  of  nothing  but 
a  roof  on  stilts.  The  second  one  also  was  a  very  curious  struc- 
ture, for  its  ground  floor  was  open  on  all  sides,  and  in  tempes- 
tuous weather  the  merchants  who  gathered  there  for  business 
found  it  extremely  uncomfortable.  It  had  a  second  story 
which  was  enclosed  and  consisted  of  a  single  room.  The  build- 
ing had  been  projected  originally  by  the  merchants  of  the  city, 
who  contributed  to  the  funds  for  its  erection,  but  through  lack 
of  sufficient  money  for  the  purpose  the  corporation  of  the  city 
was  appealed  to  for  a  grant  which  it  made  and  under  which 
the  structure  was  completed.  It  was  taken  over  by  the  city 
government  and  controlled  by  it  afterward.  One  of  the  stipu- 
lations of  the  corporation  was  that  the  second  story  should 
consist  of  a  room  "not  exceeding  fifteen  feet  in  height  and  not 
less  than  fourteen  feet  and  should  be  arched  from  the  height 
of  the  said  fourteen  feet,"  and  that  the  building  itself  should 
have  a  cupola  upon  it.    Later  a  bell  was  himg  in  the  cupola. 

The  building,  which  was  of  brick,  was  completed  in  1754, 
and  its  upper  story,  composed  entirely  of  the  so-called  Great 


I50        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

Room,  was  used  for  a  time  as  a  store  and  later  for  balls  and 
parties  of  various  kinds.  A  cofifee-room  was  later  partitioned 
off  at  one  end.  When  the  royal  charter  was  granted  to  the 
Chamber  in  1770,  it  was  provided  therein  that  the  "Meetings 
of  the  said  Corporation  shall  be  held  in  the  Great  Room  of 
the  building  commonly  called  the  Exchange,  situated  at  the 
lower  End  of  the  Street  called  broad  Street."  The  Chamber 
held  its  meetings  there  till  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution. 
The  building  itself  was  taken  down  after  the  Revolution. 

The  third  temporary  home  of  the  Chamber,  called  the 
Merchants'  Coffee  House,  was  one  of  the  most  famous  of  the 
historic  buildings  of  New  York,  ^t  was  a  four-story  structure 
of  slight  architectural  merit,  and  is  thought  to  have  been 
built  about  1737.  It  stood  at  the  southeast  comer  of  Wall 
and  Water  Streets.  In  its  early  days  it  was  used  as  a  slave- 
market  and  general  auction-room.  During  the  French  and 
Indian  War,  when  privateering  was  very  general,  captures 
made  by  New  York  vessels  were  sold  there,  including  human 
beings  as  well  as  goods.  An  advertisement  of  the  period  offers 
for  sale  whole  cargoes  of  "fine  men,  women,  boys  and  girls," 
the  white  slaves  being  sold  under  the  title  of  "Term  of 
Service."  Later,  when  the  stamp-tax  agitation  arose,  public 
meetings  of  protest  were  held  there,  and  it  was  the  regular 
place  of  assembly  for  all  committees  and  other  bodies  taking 
the  lead  in  opposition  to  the  policy  of  the  British  Government. 
In  its  rooms  was  composed  by  Isaac  Low,  Alexander  McDou- 
gall,  James  Duane,  and  John  Jay  the  famous  letter  of  May 
23,  1774,  which  contained  the  first  suggestion  of  the  American 
Union  by  calling  for  a  union  of  the  Colonies  against  Great 
Britain  and  resulted  in  the  first  Continental  Congress  which 
assembled  in  Philadelphia  on  September  5  of  that  year. 

Other  events  which  helped  to  give  the  building  first 
rank  among  famous  historical  structures  in  the  country,  oc- 
curred in  1785  and  1789.  On  February  3,  1785,  the  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce  gave  a  banquet  in  the  Long  Room  to 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        151 

President  Washington  and  the  members  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  thereby  giving  first  formal  recognition  to  the  tem- 
porary government  of  the  United  States  in  the  interval 
between  the  end  of  the  war  and  the  adoption  of  the  Con- 
stitution. Four  years  later,  on  April  23,  1789,  in  the  same 
Long  Room,  the  State  and  city  officials  of  New  York  gave 
a  reception  to  General  Washington  on  his  arrival  in  the  city 
for  his  inauguration  as  first  President  under  the  Constitu- 
tion. 

This  historic  building  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1804.  More 
than  a  century  later  fitting  honor  was  paid  to  its  memory 
by  the  placing  of  a  handsome  bronze  commemorative  tablet 
upon  the  building  at  present  occupying  its  site  at  93  Wall 
Street.  The  tablet,  which  was  the  result  of  patriotic  efforts 
by  the  Lower  Wall  Street  Business  Men's  Association,  was 
unveiled  with  appropriate  exercises  on  May  23,  1914,  with 
Seth  Low,  President  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and 
Honorary  President  of  the  Association,  as  presiding  officer. 
Among  the  speakers  was  Abram  Wakeman,  who  was  the 
originator  and  very  zealous  promoter  of  the  project.  To 
his  interesting  and  valuable  publications  on  the  history  of 
lower  New  York,  and  especially  lower  Wall  Street,  all  writers 
on  subjects  connected  with  the  city's  early  history  are  much 
indebted. 

The  Chamber  continued  to  hold  its  sessions  in  the  Mer- 
chants' Coffee  House  till  1793.  Two  lots  on  the  diagonally 
opposite  comer  of  Wall  and  Water  Streets  had  been  purchased 
by  a  sort  of  mutual  benefit  organization  called  the  Tontine 
Association,  named  after  Lorenzi  Tonti,  a  Neapolitan  who 
had  founded  a  similar  organization  in  France  in  1653.  On 
these  lots  the  Tontine  Association  began  in  179 1  the  erection 
of  a  four-story  building  which  was  called  the  Tontine  Coffee 
House.  The  structure  was  completed  in  1793.  In  April  of 
that  year  there  appears  in  the  minutes  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce  this  entry:  "A  committee  was  appointed  to  agree 


152         ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

with  Mr.  Hyde  for  the  use  of  a  room  for  the  accommodation 
of  the  Chamber  on  their  next  and  subsequent  meetiags." 
John  Hyde  was  the  first  landlord  of  the  Tontine  Coffee 
House.  At  the  May  meeting  of  the  Chamber,  stewards 
were  appointed  "for  the  ordering  of  a  public  dinner  at 
the  Tontine  Co£fee  House  for  the  merchants  in  general  of 
the  city." 

Contemporary  prints  show  the  building  to  have  had  a  high 
first-floor  story,  with  arched  windows,  and  a  piazza  six  feet 
wide  extending  over  the  sidewalk  on  Wall  Street.  An  Enghsh 
traveller,  who  visited  New  York  in  1794,  thus  described  it: 
"The  Tontine  Tavern  and  Cofifee  House  is  a  handsome  large 
brick  building;  you  ascend  six  or  eight  steps  under  a  portico, 
into  a  large  public  room,  which  is  the  Stock  Exchange  of  New 
York  where  all  bargains  are  made.  The  house  was  built  for 
the  accommodation  of  merchants.  You  can  lodge  and  board 
there  at  a  common  table,  and  you  pay  ten  shillings  currency 
a  day  whether  you  dine  out  or  not." 

In  the  fifties  the  Tontine  Coffee  House  was  taken  down  and 
a  new  structure,  faced  with  French  granite  and  four  stories 
in  height,  called  the  Tontine  Building,  was  erected  in  its 
place.  This  in  turn  gave  way  in  1905  to  a  third  building 
which  occupies  the  site  to-day  imder  the  same  name. 

The  Chamber  remained  in  the  Tontine  Coffee  House  till 
1827,  when  it  removed  to  rooms  in  the  Merchants'  Exchange, 
which  was  completed  in  that  year.  This  building,  which  was 
one  of  the  most  costly  and  pretentious  that  had  been  erected 
in  the  city  up  to  that  time,  stood  on  the  site  in  Wall  Street 
that  was  occupied  later  by  the  custom-house.  Construction 
of  it  began  in  1825  by  an  association  which  had  been  incor- 
porated with  a  capital  of  one  miUion  dollars.  It  had  a  front- 
age of  one  hundred  and  fifteen  feet  on  Wall  Street  and  ex- 
tended one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  backward  to  Garden 
Street,  now  Exchange  Place.  It  was  three  stories  in  height, 
with  a  high  basement  and  attic,  and  was  constructed  of  white 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS        153 

Westchester  marble.  The  first  and  second  stories  were 
modelled  after  the  temple  of  Minerva  in  Ionia.  Entrance 
was  through  a  portico  in  the  centre  of  the  Wall  Street  front, 
which  was  elUptical  in  form  and  was  inside  of  a  row  of  four 
marble  columns,  thirty  feet  in  height,  which  reached  to  the 
top  of  the  second  story.  Each  column  was  composed  of  a 
single  block  of  marble.  On  the  top  of  the  building  was  a 
cupola,  sixty  feet  in  height  and  twenty-four  feet  in  diameter, 
which  rested  upon  columns  within  the  structure  forming  a 
rotunda  in  the  centre.  The  rotunda,  which  was  oval  in  form, 
was  seventy-five  feet  long,  fifty  feet  wide  and  forty-two  feet 
high,  was  the  floor  of  the  Exchange  where  business  was  trans- 
acted. In  the  centre  there  stood  a  colossal  statue  in  marble 
of  Alexander  Hamilton  by  Ball  Hughes.  The  building,  which 
was  the  pride  of  the  city  in  its  day,  cost  two  hundred  and  thirty 
thousand  dollars.  The  basement  was  occupied  by  brokers' 
offices,  and  on  the  gallery  facing  the  rotunda  the  merchants 
had  their  offices.  The  post-office  was  also  located  in  it,  and 
there  were  rooms  for  such  tenants  as  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce. The  building  was  totally  consumed  in  the  great  fire 
of  1835  which  destroyed  four  hundred  and  thirty-five  buildings 
and  caused  a  total  loss  of  seventeen  million  dollars.  Desper- 
ate efforts  were  made  to  save  the  Hamilton  statue  but  the  fury 
of  the  flames  made  it  impossible  to  do  so. 

After  the  destruction  of  the  Merchants'  Exchange,  the 
Chamber  found  quarters  in  the  Merchants'  Bank  in  the  cen- 
tral part  of  Wall  Street.  The  building  had  been  originally  a 
private  dwelling  and  was  not  a  conunodious  structure.  Three 
years  after  the  Chamber  had  found  a  home  there,  the  building 
was  destroyed  and  in  1840  the  bank  took  up  its  quarters  in  a 
new  granite  structure,  erected  on  the  same  site,  with  a  front 
of  four  high  columns,  which  was  said  at  the  time  to  have 
been  the  finest  banking-house  in  the  United  States  and  to 
have  cost  more  than  forty  thousand  dollars.  The  Chamber 
followed  the  bank  into  this  building  and  remained  there  till 


154        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

1858,  when  it  removed  to  the  Underwriters'  Building  at 
William  and  Cedar  Streets,  remaining  there  till  1884. 

In  the  Mutual  Life  Building  on  Nassau  Street,  between 
Cedar  and  Liberty  Streets,  whither  the  Chamber  moved  in 
1884,  it  found  far  more  commodious  quarters  than  it  had 
hitherto  occupied.  It  had  a  fine  suite  of  rooms,  including  a 
large  one  for  its  meetings,  and  these  were  furnished  in  a  dig- 
nified and  handsome  manner  in  accord  with  the  position  which 
the  Chamber  held  in  public  estimation.  The  Mutual  Life 
Biulding  stands  on  the  site  of  the  Dutch  Church  which  was 
famous  in  the  early  days  of  the  last  century.  For  several 
years  the  Chamber  had  hoped  to  obtain  this  site  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a  building  of  its  own  as  a  permanent  home,  but  it 
was  not  able,  for  various  reasons,  to  do  so.  The  rooms  which 
it  took  possession  of  in  1884,  while  sufficiently  ample  for  the 
purpose  at  that  time,  were  gradually  outgrown  and  ultimately 
became  inadequate,  especially  in  affording  accommodation 
for  the  rapidly  accumulating  collection  of  portraits  and  the 
large  and  expanding  library. 


CHAPTER  XXX 
THE  CHAMBER'S  PERMANENT  HOME 

FUND   FOR   ITS   CONSTRUCTION GREAT  HALL  AND    PORTRAIT- 
GALLERY — DEDICATION    EXERCISES — STATUES    AND 
MEMORIAL  TABLET 

1902-I9II 

For  nearly  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  years  the  Chamber 
of  Commerce  led  what  may  be  called  a  Bohemian  existence. 
It  had  no  home  of  its  own,  but  wandered  about  from  one  place 
to  another,  finding  temporary  quarters  in  any  building  which 
at  the  time  best  suited  its  purposes.  In  its  early  days  the 
nomadic  character  of  its  life  was  especially  marked,  its  lodging- 
place  being  any  tavern  or  cofifee-house  or  merchants'  exchange 
that  granted  it  hospitality.  Several  of  these  tempK)rary  abid- 
ing-places were  of  large  historic  interest  in  the  days  preceding 
and  immediately  following  the  Revolution,  and  brief  accounts 
of  them  are  given  in  the  preceding  chapter.  As  it  grew  in 
niunbers  and  influence  and  developed  into  an  institution  that 
represented  not  merely  the  commercial,  industrial,  and  finan- 
cial interests  of  the  nation,  but  was  also  a  recognized  leader 
in  all  causes  affecting  the  national  welfare  and  honor,  the  need 
of  a  home  of  its  own,  worthy  of  its  traditions  and  purposes, 
was  keenly  felt  by  its  members.  This  was  accentuated  by  the 
important  part  which  the  society  had  taken  in  sustaining  the 
policy  of  the  national  government  during  the  Civil  War. 
Various  projects  for  a  permanent  home  had  been  mentioned 
in  a  random  and  vague  form  before  that  time,  but  it  was  not 
till  after  the  close  of  the  war  that  the  question  was  brought 
before  the  members  in  a  sufficiently  concrete  form  to  secure 


156        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

for  it  serious  consideration.  At  the  annual  meeting  in  May, 
1865,  Abiel  A.  Low,  President  of  the  society,  brought  it  to 
the  attention  of  the  members  in  a  manner  so  forcible  as  to 
lead  to  formal  action.  " Commerce,"  said  he,  "has  foimd  Just 
expression  through  these  last  four  years  of  civil  war,  in  the 
moral  and  financial  support  given  to  the  Government  of  the 
United  States,  and  in  the  influence  it  has  exerted  for  and  with, 
throughout  the  loyal  North.  It  has  found  just  expression  in 
the  rewards  and  honors  bestowed  upon  many  of  the  great 
and  heroic  men,  who,  on  land  and  on  the  sea,  have  shed  such 
lustre  upon  our  country's  renown. 

"Is  it  not  right,"  he  continued,  "that  commerce  should 
do  something  in  its  own  honor,  to  perpetuate  its  own  history, 
to  hand  down  the  portraiture  of  men  who  have  been  distin- 
guished in  the  walks  of  business  for  moral  worth  and  lives  of 
usefulness  ?  Is  it  not  right  that  this  Chamber  should  have  a 
building  that  will  stand  as  a  monument  of  its  own  just  pride, 
answering  the  demands  of  its  steadily  increasing  members, 
and  what  seems  to  be  a  revival  of  interest  in  its  affairs — a 
building  commensurate  with  the  growth  in  wealth  of  the  chief 
commercial  city  of  the  world;  the  heart  and  centre  of  a  Com- 
merce which  promises  to  exceed  in  magnitude  that  of  any 
country  hitherto  known  to  history?" 

Putting  his  suggestion  in  concrete  form,  Mr.  Low,  with  the 
clear  foresight  which  was  his  distinguishing  attribute,  pro- 
ceeded to  outline  a  project  which  thirty-seven  years  later  was 
carried  into  effect.  "We  want  and  should  have,"  he  said, 
"an  edifice  wherein  our  merchants  can  meet  on  public  occa- 
sions, with  a  separate  hall  for  the  gatherings  of  this  society, 
and  a  gallery  for  the  exhibition  of  the  portraits  of  eminent 
merchants  of  our  own  and  other  lands.  It  has  seemed  to  us 
that  it  should  not  be  difficult  to  find  twenty-five  men  who 
will  give  ten  thousand  doUars  each,  fifty  who  will  give  five 
thousand  dollars  each,  and  five  hundred  who  will  give  one 
thousand  dollars  each,  in  all  one  million  of  doUars !" 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS        157 

The  President's  remarks  were  received  with  great  applause 
and  a  committee  of  ten,  with  the  President  and  Secretary  as 
members,  was  appointed  to  rep>ort  at  an  early  day  what  steps 
were  necessary  to  carry  the  proposal  into  effect.  From  that 
day  the  figure  of  one  million  dollars  was  fixed  immovably  as 
the  desired  building-fund,  and  systematic  efforts  to  raise  it 
began,  but  for  many  years  little  progress  was  made.  The 
subject  was  brought  up  for  discussion  from  time  to  time,  but 
it  was  not  till  1897  that  tangible  results  began  to  be  achieved. 
At  the  annual  meeting  in  May  of  that  year,  Alexander  E. 
Orr,  President  of  the  Chamber,  announced  that  $248,500  had 
been  subscribed  by  eighteen  gentlemen  and  one  lady,  and  he 
asked  for  a  committee  to  be  appointed  to  seek  further  sub- 
scriptions. On  June  9  following,  the  committee  reported 
$468,500  and  announced  that  within  a  few  days  the  amount 
would  be  increased  to  a  half  million.  In  November  following, 
at  the  annual  banquet,  it  was  announced  that  the  subscrip- 
tions had  reached  $620,000  by  two  hundred  members.  From 
this  time,  the  advance  toward  the  desired  million  became 
steady  and  rapid.  In  May,  1898,  the  total  was  $633,250; 
in  April,  1899,  $705,100;  in  June  following,  $767,550,  and  on 
April  5,  1900,  President  Orr  announced  the  full  million  had 
been  subscribed  by  five  himdred  and  two  members  and  two 
ladies.  A  site  was  obtained  in  Liberty  Street,  adjoining 
the  centre  of  the  financial  district  of  the  city  and  the  erection 
of  the  building  was  begun  at  once. 

The  exterior  of  the  building  is  shown  in  the  frontispiece. 
The  dominating  feature  of  the  interior  is  an  assembly-hall  and 
portrait-gallery  combined  which  occupies  two  stories  in  the 
centre  of  the  structure.  It  is  ninety  feet  in  length  by  sixty  feet 
in  breadth  with  a  half-domed  ceiling,  surmounted  by  a  sky- 
light, thirty-eight  feet  above.  On  its  walls  are  hung  the 
portraits  of  the  society's  valuable  collection,  a  full  catalogue 
of  which  will  be  found  in  the  Appendix  of  this  volume.  It 
numbers  at  present  two  hundred  and  twenty-one  portraits, 


iS8        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

and  there  are  also  six  marble  statues  and  three  bronze  busts. 
Among  the  portraits  the  most  notable  are  those  of  George 
Washington  by  Gilbert  Stuart;  Alexander  Hamilton  and  De 
Witt  Clinton,  both  by  John  Trumbull;  John  Bright  and 
Richard  Cobden,  both  by  J.  Fagnani;  and  Cadwallader 
Golden  by  Matthew  Pratt.  All  the  Presidents  of  the  society 
since  its  foundation,  with  a  few  exceptions,  and  many  of 
the  Vice-Presidents  and  Secretaries  are  included,  and  with 
their  portraits  are  those  of  Presidents  Lincoln,  Arthur,  and 
Cleveland;  Generals  Scott,  Grant,  Sherman,  Sheridan,  and 
Hancock;  John  Sherman,  J.  Pierpont  Morgan,  James  J.  Hill, 
and  others  whose  names  are  prominent  in  the  country's  his- 
tory. Many  of  the  portraits  are  the  work  of  eminent  artists 
of  their  times.  Credit  for  the  collection  is  due  largely  to 
George  Wilson,  for  forty  years  the  efficient  and  esteemed 
Secretary  of  the  society,  who  devoted  himself  with  untiring 
zeal  to  the  task  of  assembling  it. 

Ranged  about  the  court  on  the  floor  above  the  assembly- 
hall  are  the  President's  room,  committee-rooms,  and  the 
offices  of  the  Secretary  and  his  staff.  The  fourth  floor  is 
given  up  entirely  to  the  large  and  valuable  library  of  the 
society. 

The  building  was  dedicated  with  impressive  exercises  on 
November  ii,  1902,  in  the  presence  of  a  very  distinguished 
assemblage  which  included  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
Theodore  Roosevelt;  Grover  Cleveland,  the  only  ex-President 
living  at  the  time;  the  Ambassadors  of  England  and  France, 
Sir  Michael  Henry  Herbert,  and  M.  Jules  Cambon;  Sir 
Albert  K.  Rollit,  member  of  Parliament  and  Chairman  of 
the  London  Chamber  of  Commerce;  Prince  Hans  Heinrich 
von  Pless,  special  representative  of  Germany;  the  Honorable 
Elihu  Root,  Secretary  of  War,  and  delegates  from  the  chief 
Chambers  of  Commerce  in  Europe.  Morris  K.  Jesup, 
President  of  the  Chamber,  presided  and  made  an  address  in 
which  he  extended  the  cordial  greetings  of  the  Chamber  to 


H      o 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        159 

the  illustrious  guests  and  gave  a  review  of  the  Chamber's 
history.  Ex-President  Cleveland  delivered  a  formal  address, 
in  which,  after  alluding  to  the  fact  that  although  the  Cham- 
ber was  one  hundred  and  thirty  years  old  it  was  celebrating 
its  first  possession  of  a  permanent  home,  he  said: 

"Its  purposes  have  been  so  practical,  and  the  occasions  for 
its  useful  and  beneficial  work  have  been  so  constant,  that  it 
has  been  abundantly  content  to  make  a  career  and  add  lus- 
tre to  its  name  before  providing  for  itself  a  local  habitation; 
but  no  architectural  finish  and  no  ornate  decoration  befits 
this  beautiful  edifice  so  well  as  the  bright  coloring  reflected 
from  the  splendid  achievements  proudly  borne  by  those  who 
now  enter  upon  its  occupancy." 

In  conclusion,  Mr.  Cleveland  said:  "These  exercises,  re- 
calling so  forcibly  the  growth  of  American  commerce  in 
world  wide  influence  abroad,  and  in  usefuhiess  and  beneficence 
at  home,  cannot  fail  to  be  of  interest  to  all  our  countrymen; 
but  the  citizens  of  the  greatest  of  our  States  and  of  our  Im- 
perial City,  with  all  they  have  to  make  them  proud  and  happy, 
must  especially  congratulate  themselves  upon  the  associa- 
tion of  their  State  and  City  with  the  fame  and  honor  which 
have  been  wrought  out  by  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the 
State  of  New  York." 

At  the  request  of  Mr.  Jesup,  President  Roosevelt,  who  was 
to  deliver  a  formal  address  at  later  exercises  in  the  evening, 
spoke  a  few  words  of  welcome  to  the  foreign  guests,  and 
brought  the  great  assemblage  to  its  feet  with  three  cheers  by 
saying:  "And  now,  gentlemen,  having  greeted  your  guests  on 
behalf  of  you,  I  greet  you  in  the  name  of  the  people,  not  merely 
because  you  stand  for  commercial  success,  but  because  this 
body  has  been  able  to  show  that  the  greatest  commercial  suc- 
cess can  square  with  the  immutable  and  eternal  laws  of  de- 
cent and  right  living  and  of  fair  dealing  between  man  and 
man." 

Seth  Low,  as  Mayor  of  the  city,  acknowledged  in  its  name 


i6o        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

the  great  services  of  the  Chamber  to  it  and  expressed  thanks 
for  them. 

In  the  evening  a  grand  banquet  was  held  in  the  great  hall 
of  the  Waldorf-Astoria,  which  was  attended  by  about  seven 
hundred  persons  and  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  in  the 
Chamber's  history.  The  distinguished  guests  of  the  morning 
exercises  were  again  present  and  with  them  many  others 
representing  all  professions  and  occupations  and  including 
the  most  illustrious  members  of  each.  The  principal  address 
was  made  by  President  Roosevelt.  "There  is  no  need," 
he  said  at  the  outset,  "of  my  preaching  to  this  gathering  the 
need  of  combining  efficiency  with  upright  dealing,  for  as  an 
American  citizen  and  as  a  citizen  of  New  York,  I  am  proud 
to  feel  that  the  name  of  your  organization  carries  with  it  a 
guarantee  of  both,  and  your  practice  counts  for  more  than 
any  preaching  could  possibly  count."  Later  in  his  remarks 
he  said  that  "this  body  stands  for  the  triumphs  of  peace, 
both  abroad  and  at  home,"  and  then  added  a  passage  about 
the  necessity  of  preparedness  for  war  which  sounds  as  if  it 
were  taken  from  some  speech  of  his  ten  or  a  dozen  years 
later  when  the  European  War  was  threatening  to  involve  the 
country  in  its  meshes.  "Remember,  gentlemen,"  he  said, 
"that  we  shall  be  a  potent  factor  ^or  peace  largely  in  propor- 
tion to  the  way  in  which  we  make  it  evident  that  our  attitude 
is  due,  not  to  weakness,  not  to  inability  to  defend  ourselves, 
but  to  a  genuine  repugnance  to  wrong-doing,  a  genuine 
desire  for  self-respecting  friendship  with  our  neighbors.  The 
voice  of  the  weakling  or  the  craven  counts  for  nothing  when  he 
clamors  for  peace;  but  the  voice  of  the  just  man  armed  is 
potent.  We  need  to  keep  in  a  condition  of  preparedness, 
especially  as  regards  our  navy,  not  because  we  want  war,  but 
because  we  desire  to  stand  with  those  whose  plea  for  peace  is 
listened  to  with  respectful  attention." 

In  closing,  the  President  paid  a  warm  tribute  to  the  Cham- 
ber's work  in  the  world,  saying: 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        i6i 

Throughout  its  history,  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  has  stood 
for  the  higher  kind  of  success — the  success  which  comes  as  the 
reward  of  keen  insight,  of  sagacity,  of  resolution,  of  address,  com- 
bined with  unflinching  rectitude  of  behavior,  public  and  private. 
It  is  therefore  fitting  that  I  should  come  on  here  as  the  Chief 
Executive  of  the  nation  to  wish  you  well  in  your  new  home;  for 
you  belong  not  merely  to  the  city,  not  merely  to  the  State,  but  to 
all  the  country,  and  you  stand  high  among  the  great  factors  in 
building  up  that  marvellous  prosperity  which  the  entire  coimtry 
now  enjoys. 

You  are  men  of  might  in  the  world  of  American  effort;  you 
are  men  whose  names  stand  high  in  the  esteem  of  our  people;  you 
are  spoken  of  in  terms  like  those  used  in  the  long-gone  ages  when 
it  was  said  of  the  Phoenician  cities  that  their  merchants  were 
princes.  Great  is  your  power,  and  great,  therefore,  your  respon- 
sibility. Well  and  faithfully  have  you  met  this  responsibility  in 
the  past.  We  look  forward  with  confident  hope  to  what  you  will 
do  in  the  future,  and  it  is  therefore  with  sincerity  that  I  bid  you 
Godspeed  this  evening,  and  wish  for  you,  in  the  name  of  the  na- 
tion, a  career  of  ever  increasing  honour  and  usefulness. 

Speeches  were  made  also  by  the  French  and  English  Am- 
bassadors; Sir  Albert  K.  Rollit,  M.  P.;  Prince  Hans  Hein- 
rich  von  Pless;  M.  V.  Hugot,  delegate  from  the  Paris  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce;  Paul  Heckmann,  delegate  from  the  Berlin 
Chamber  of  Commerce;  and  William  P.  Wood,  delegate 
from  the  London  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  President  of 
the  London  Com  Trade  Association.  A  full  report  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  day  and  evening,  including  the  text  of  the 
speeches,  was  published  by  the  Chamber  subsequently  in  a 
handsome  memorial  voltune  in  which  there  were  also  engrav- 
ings of  the  building,  of  the  medal  struck  to  commemorate  the 
occasion,  copies  of  the  formal  invitation  and  of  the  embossed 
programme  of  the  banquet  showing  in  relief  and  colors  the 
grouped  flags  of  the  United  States  and  foreign  countries  rep- 
resented. 

The  marble  statues  of  De  Witt  Clinton,  Alexander  Hamil- 
ton, and  John  Jay,  on  the  front  of  the  building,  were  formally 


i62         ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

unveiled  on  November  17,  1903,  at  a  special  meeting  called 
for  the  purpose.  The  donors  of  the  statues  were  members  of 
the  Chamber,  Morris  K.  Jesup  presenting  that  of  Clinton, 
John  S.  Kennedy  that  of  Hamilton,  and  William  E.  Dodge 
that  of  Jay.  At  the  imveiling  exercises  Mr.  Jesup,  President 
of  the  Chamber,  presided  and  announced  that  with  these 
acquisitions  the  building  was  completed.  Benjamin  B.  Odell, 
Jr.,  Governor  of  the  State,  delivered  an  address  on  Clinton, 
the  Honorable  Charles  S.  Fairchild,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
in  President  Cleveland's  second  administration,  spoke  briefly 
of  Hamilton,  and  Alton  B.  Parker,  then  Chief  Judge  of  the 
Court  of  Appeals,  gave  a  review  of  Jay's  career  and  public 
services. 

A  full  report  of  these  proceedings  was  also  published  by 
the  Chamber  subsequently,  with  the  text  of  the  speeches  and 
engravings  of  the  statues. 

Two  of  the  most  highly  valued  objects  in  the  Chamber's 
possession  were  presented  to  it  at  its  annual  meeting  on  May 
7,  1908.  They  are  a  portrait  of  Washington  by  Gilbert 
Stuart  and  two  vases  which  were  presented  by  a  body  of  New 
York  merchants  in  1825  to  De  Witt  Clinton,  then  Governor 
of  the  State,  in  recognition  of  his  services  in  promoting  the 
building  of  the  Erie  Canal.  The  portrait  and  vases  were 
bequeathed  to  the  Chamber  by  one  of  its  former  Presidents, 
Morris  K.  Jesup.  He  purchased  the  portrait  in  London,  in 
1902,  where  he  found  it  on  sale  in  a  collection,  and  the  vases 
from  the  last  surviving  heir  of  Governor  Clinton  in  1906. 
Joseph  H.  Choate,  speaking  in  behalf  of  Mrs.  Jesup  who  had 
carried  out  her  late  husband's  wishes  in  donating  the  vases 
and  portrait  to  the  Chamber,  read  the  correspondence  which 
had  taken  place  between  the  merchants  and  Governor  Clin- 
ton, and  said:  "I  trust  that  these  vases  will  be  accepted  in 
the  spirit  in  which  Mrs.  Jesup  has  offered  them  and  in  the 
spirit  in  which  Mr.  Jesup  himself  had  intended  to  present 
them  at  the  last  annual  meeting;  that  they  will  be  cherished 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        163 

as  most  valuable  historical  articles,  as  they  certainly  are — 
which  could  find  no  more  appropriate  place  than  this  Cham- 
ber, and  no  more  appropriate  guardian  than  in  the  successors 
of  the  very  merchants  who  conceived  the  idea  of  originally 
presenting  them  to  Governor  Clinton." 

Of  the  Washington  portrait,  Mr.  Choate  said  it  was  the  best 
presentation  of  the  Father  of  His  Country  that  could  be 
found  anywhere,  adding:  "How  could  this  Hall  and  this  noble 
Gallery  better  be  crowned  than  by  this  admirable  portrait 
of  Washington,  who  was  the  great  friend  of  commerce,  of  pros- 
perity, and  of  peace  among  the  people  of  his  own  country, 
and  of  the  maintenance  of  friendly  relations  between  them 
and  foreign  nations,  which  are  indispensable  to  the  success 
of  our  commerce  and  to  our  national  prosperity?" 

In  November,  191 1,  a  bronze  tablet,  commemorative  of 
the  services  of  Alexander  E.  Orr  and  Morris  K.  Jesup  in  pro- 
moting and  securing  the  erection  of  the  building  was  formally 
presented.  It  was  placed  later  in  the  entrance-hall  of  the 
building  and  is  a  handsome  addition  to  the  structure. 


CHAPTER  XXXI 
THE  EUROPEAN  WAR 

PREPAREDNESS  AND  UNIVERSAL  SERVICE  FAVORED — DECLARA- 
TION OF  WAR  APPROVED — PORT  WAR  BOARD  SECURED 

1914-1918 

The  record  of  the  Chamber  in  regard  to  the  war  with  Grer- 
many  is,  in  patriotic  spirit  and  prompt  and  wholehearted  sup- 
port of  the  National  Government,  in  full  accord  with  its  con- 
duct during  the  war  of  secession  and  the  later  war  with  Spain. 
Before  the  United  States  entered  the  European  conflict,  the 
Chamber  recognized  at  once  its  duty  in  regard  to  the  pro- 
tection of  American  commercial  interests.  At  its  first  meeting, 
held  in  August,  1914,  after  war  was  declared  by  Germany,  it 
appointed  a  very  strong  committee  of  twenty  members  to 
consider  the  problems  of  shipments  during  the  war.  This 
committee  put  itself  in  communication  with  members  of 
Congress;  prepared  and  issued  reports  on  questions  connected 
with  the  subject  in  hand  which  were  printed  in  pamphlet 
form  and  circulated  in  thousands  throughout  the  country; 
submitted  resolutions  which  were  adopted  by  the  Cham- 
ber suggesting  desirable  legislation;  sent  a  subcommittee  to 
Washington  that  attended  a  conference  over  which  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Treasury  presided  and  which  included  sixty- 
four  delegates  who  were  representatives  of  clearing-houses, 
boards  of  trade,  and  shipping  interests  in  all  important  parts 
of  the  country  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific.  After  several 
hours  of  discussion,  this  conference  adopted,  as  an  expression 
of  its  views,  a  series  of  resolutions  to  the  same  effect  as  those 

164 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS        165 

which  had  been  previously  adopted  by  the  New  York  Chamber 
of  Commerce  in  relation  to  American  registry,  suspension 
or  abrogation  of  existing  navigation  laws,  and  the  establish- 
ment by  the  government  of  a  Bureau  of  War  Risk  Insurance. 
In  response  to  a  request  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
the  members  of  the  conference  remained  in  Washington  for 
consultation  and  advice  in  devising  legislation  to  carry  out 
the  recommendations,  and  the  Chamber  had  the  great  satis- 
faction later  of  seeing,  as  the  result  of  its  leadership,  its  rec- 
ommendations embodied  in  law. 

Early  in  191 6  a  special  meeting  was  called  to  consider  the 
question  of  national  preparedness,  and  at  this  addresses  were 
made  by  Joseph  H.  Choate  and  General  Leonard  Wood,  both 
strongly  in  favor  of  immediate  action.  The  subject  was  dis- 
cussed at  much  length  at  several  successive  meetings  and  a 
resolution  was  finally  adopted,  in  April,  1916,  urging  the  Presi- 
dent and  Congress  to  give  the  matter  their  earnest  considera- 
tion. An  expression  was  also  adopted  in  favor  of  universal 
physical  and  military  training.  Later  the  Chamber  appointed 
a  special  committee  on  military  preparedness,  who  made  a 
report  that  was  adopted  imanimously,  in  which  universal 
training  for  military  service  was  recommended. 

When  in  February,  1917,  the  news  was  received  that  Presi- 
dent Wilson  had  handed  the  German  Ambassador  his  papers, 
because  of  the  announcement  by  the  Imperial  German  Govern- 
ment of  its  purpose  to  make  submarine  warfare  upon  all 
vessels,  neutral  or  belligerent,  when  foimd  within  specified 
barred  zones,  the  Chamber,  amid  applause  and  without  a  dis- 
senting voice,  adopted  a  series  of  resolutions  including  the 
following: 

Whereas,  During  two  and  a  half  years  of  war  with  Europe  the 
Government  of  the  United  States  has  in  the  interests  of  peace 
patiently  and  with  almost  imprecedented  forbearance  submitted 
to  many  assaults  upon  the  lives  and  property  of  its  citizens  and  has 
suffered  indignities  at  home  and  abroad  by  command  of  the  Im- 


i66        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

penal  German  Government  inconsistent  with  the  comity  custom- 
ary between  civilized  nations  at  peace  with  each  other;  and 

Whereas,  The  President  of  the  United  States  has  discontinued 
diplomatic  relations  with  Germany  because  of  the  declared  pur- 
pose of  that  Government  to  commit  further  assaults  upon  the  lives 
and  property  of  our  citizens  by  methods  previously  admitted  by 
that  Government  to  be  illegal  and  since  protested  by  the  whole 
civilized  world  as  both  illegal  and  inhmnan;  now,  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New 
York  endorses  and  commends  this  action  of  the  President;  that  it 
assures  him  of  its  heartiest  and  fullest  support  to  whatever  steps 
he  may  deem  necessary  for  the  protection  of  the  Kves  and  property 
of  American  citizens  everywhere  when  following  their  lawful  pur- 
suits. 

Resolved,  That  it  urges  the  Government  immediately  to  adopt 
such  protective  measures  as  will  assure  the  prompt  resumption  of 
regular  steamship  service  by  American  ships  engaged  in  European 
trade,  subject  to  the  usual  rules  of  war  between  civilized  peoples. 

Resolved,  That  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New 
York  considers  the  German  note  as  a  menace  to  the  inalienable 
right  to  life,  liberty  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness,  to  establish 
which  our  forefathers  fought  and  to  maintain  which  the  people 
of  this  country  are  willing  now  to  fight. 

At  its  first  meeting  after  the  declaration  of  war  with  Ger- 
many, the  following  minute  was  adopted  amid  loud  and 
general  applause,  and  with  a  standing  vote: 

We,  the  members  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of 
New  York  in  meeting  assembled,  realizing  the  solemnity  of  this 
occasion,  and  fully  conscious  of  the  awfulness  and  sorrows  of  war, 
hereby  declare  our  beUef  that  the  President  of  the  United  States 
has  exhausted  every  possible  means  to  avert  the  compulsion  of  war 
and  that  no  other  course  with  honor  was  left  to  the  President  and 
Congress  but  to  declare  that  Germany,  by  the  acts  of  its  Imperial 
Government,  was  waging  war  upon  the  United  States. 

We  hereby  declare  our  full  and  solemn  approval  of  the  President's 
noble  message  to  Congress,  and  we  individually  offer  and  pledge 
ourselves,  our  means  and  our  service  to  the  support  of  our  Govern- 
ment and  in  help  to  our  country's  needs,  in  whatsoever  manner  we 
can  be  of  use,  realizing  that  we  owe  it  to  posterity  to  defend  and 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        167 

to  pass  on  to  it  unimpaired  the  inalienable  rights  to  life,  Uberty 
and  the  pursuit  of  happiness  which  we  inherited  in  trust  from  our 
Forefathers. 


The  Chamber  was  early  in  the  field  with  a  demand  for  ac- 
tion in  the  direction  of  restricting  war  profits.  In  February, 
191 7,  it  adopted  resolutions  declaring  it  to  be  the  duty  of 
organizations  of  business  men  to  aid  the  government  to  the 
full  extent  of  their  ability  and  pledging  the  Chamber's  sup- 
port to  the  "principle  that  the  business  men  of  the  country 
shall  supply  all  services,  commodities  and  inventions  re- 
quired by  the  National  Gk)vemment  at  prices  which  will 
yield  a  profit  no  greater  than  would  be  received  in  similar 
transactions  with  private  customers." 

In  March  following  it  took  up  the  question  of  co-ordinating 
all  the  utilities  of  the  Port  of  New  York  in  order  to  secure 
the  largest  and  best  possible  service  to  the  National  Govern- 
ment in  prosecuting  the  war.  The  Executive  Committee  of 
the  Chamber  sought  and  obtained  the  hearty  co-operation  of 
the  Governor  of  New  Jersey  in  an  effort  to  make  the  Port  of 
New  York  one  great  undivided  shipping  and  industrial  centre. 
The  Legislatures  of  the  States  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey 
passed  identical  measures  providing  for  the  appointment  of 
Harbor  Development  Commissions,  and  the  Governors  of 
those  States  appointed  them,  each  consisting  of  three  mem- 
bers. All  of  the  New  York  Commissioners  were  members  of 
the  Chamber,  including  the  President,  and  one  of  the  New 
Jersey  Commissioners  was  also  a  member  of  the  Chamber. 
The  two  bodies  met  and  formed  a  Joint  Commission. 

Early  in  November,  1917,  the  President  of  the  Chamber 
and  other  members  of  the  Joint  Commission  went  to  Wash- 
ington for  conference  with  the  Secretary  of  War,  who  gave 
their  project  enthusiastic  approval,  and  with  them  enlarged 
their  Joint  Commission  into  a  War  Board  for  the  Port  of  New 
York,  with  the  chairman  of  the  Federal  Shipping  Board  as 


i68        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

chairman.  All  the  members  of  the  Joint  Commission  were 
retained  as  members  of  the  War  Board,  and  with  them  were 
included  the  Secretaries  of  War,  Navy,  Conmierce,  and  Labor, 
the  counsel  of  the  Joint  Commission,  the  Mayor  of  New 
York,  and  a  representative  of  the  Railway  War  Council.  The 
total  membership  was  sixteen. 

At  the  meeting  in  November,  191 7,  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee made  a  report  on  disloyal  utterances  in  which  they  said 
that  they  had  observed  with  increasing  concern  the  "con- 
tinued expression  of  unpatriotic  and  seditious  sentiments  in 
public  speeches  and  in  print  by  men  in  public  office  in  what 
seems  to  be  a  total  disregard  of  their  fealty  to  the  United 
States,"  mentioning  as  the  most  notable  cases  those  of  a 
Senator  of  the  United  States  and  a  candidate  for  Mayor  of 
New  York,  and  deploring  that  although  the  country  had  en- 
tered the  war  six  months  earlier  many  avenues  of  publicity 
were  still  permitted  to  disloyal  people  for  the  dissemination 
of  sentiments  harmful  to  the  cause  for  which  the  coimtry 
was  fighting.  The  committee  proposed  resolutions  approv- 
ing the  action  of  the  Senate  in  investigating  members  of  its 
own  body  "known  to  have  spoken  and  distributed  declarations 
inconsistent  with  their  oaths  of  ofl5.ce  and  with  loyalty  to  the 
country,"  urging  upon  the  House  of  Representatives  similar 
action,  and  recommending  to  the  Departments  of  Justice  in 
Washington,  Albany,  and  New  York  "a  more  vigorous  prose- 
cution of  all  those  who  thus  abuse  the  privilege  of  citizenship 
or  misuse  the  shelter  afforded  them  by  this  country."  The 
report  and  resolutions  were  received  with  applause  and  adopted 
imanimously. 


CHAPTER  XXXn 
RELIEF  AND  OTHER  FUNDS 

AID  FOR  PERSONS  IN  DISTRESS  FROM  CALAMITIES — ^FUNDS  FOR 

THE  BENEFIT  OF  FAMILIES  OF  DISTINGUISHED  PERSONS — 

TOTAL  CONTRIBUTIONS  OF  $3,500,000 

1793-1918 

During  virtually  its  entire  career  the  Chamber  has  re- 
sponded liberally  to  all  calls  for  relief  to  persons  in  distress 
from  great  calamities  of  fire,  flood,  earthquake,  and  other 
causes,  and  has  with  equal  generosity  either  raised  funds 
among  its  members,  or  has  joined  with  other  p)ersons  and  or- 
ganizations, in  the  raising  of  them  for  the  benefit  of  the 
families  of  distinguished  persons  who  have  died  after  eminent 
public  service  leaving  little  or  no  property.  The  fiirst  note- 
worthy act  of  the  kind  was  performed  in  July,  1793,  when  a 
large  number  of  destitute  fugitives  arrived  in  the  United 
States  from  San  Domingo,  having  fled  from  that  island  to 
escape  the  hideous  consequences  of  a  servile  war  that  was 
raging  there.  The  Chamber  appointed  a  committee  to  solicit 
contributions  for  the  relief  of  these  sufferers  and  took  the 
lead  in  obtaining  the  necessary  aid.  From  that  time  forward 
its  record  of  generous  giving  is  imbroken. 

Its  aid  has  not  been  confined  to  this  country,  but  has  been 
world-wide  in  its  scope.  In  1856,  when  there  were  thousands 
of  persons  suffering  from  inundations  in  France,  it  took  action 
at  once  and  sent  them  liberal  aid.  When  the  city  of  Troy, 
New  York,  was  swept  by  fire  in  1856,  a  fimd  of  $15,000  was 
quickly  raised  and  forwarded;  and  when  in  the  same  year 
word  was  received  that  there  was  great  suffering  among  the 
people  in  Lancashire,  England,  $150,000  was  raised  and  sent 
there. 

169 


I70         ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

After  the  city  of  Savannah  had  passed  into  Union  hands 
during  Sherman's  march  to  the  sea,  an  appeal  was  made  to 
the  Chamber  for  the  relief  of  the  city's  twenty  thousand  in- 
habitants who  were  in  want  of  the  necessities  of  life.  The 
appeal  was  made  imder  the  authority  of  General  Sherman, 
who  vouched  for  the  loyalty  of  the  people  remaining  in  the 
dty.  A  special  meeting  was  held  on  January  5, 1865,  and  a 
committee  was  appointed  to  solicit  contributions  of  money 
for  the  purpose.  Between  that  date  and  February  5,  $35,681 
was  collected,  and  $8,000  was  expended  for  provisions  which 
were  taken  to  Savannah  on  a  steamer  that  had  been  offered 
free  of  charge  for  the  trip.  Later  other  like  cargoes  were 
sent,  about  $23,000  in  all  being  expended  for  provisions. 
The  balance  of  the  fund  was  put  to  such  other  uses  as  the 
situation  seemed  to  make  most  desirable. 

The  action  by  the  Chamber  had  a  double  influence  for  good. 
It  relieved  existing  suffering  and  helped  to  soften  the  prej- 
udices which  were  the  inevitable  outcome  of  the  war,  by 
showing  the  people  of  the  South  that  those  of  the  North  had 
only  the  kindest  sentiments  toward  them. 

In  the  same  year,  1865,  another  notable  contribution  was 
sent  to  the  South  in  the  form  of  $20,000  for  the  relief  of  des- 
titute persons  in  East  Tennessee.  The  record  is  very  full 
after  this  date,  as  the  following  entries  by  years  will  show: 


1866.    $106,000  for  the  relief  of  sufferers  from   the  Portland, 
Maine,  fire. 

1870.  $is,cx3o  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers  by  the  falling  of  the 

Capitol  at  Richmond,  Virginia. 

1871.  $143,000  for  the  relief  of  the  suffering  people  of  France, 

during  and  at  the  close  of  the  Franco-German 

War. 
1 871.    $1,044,751  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers  by  the  great  fires 

in  Chicago  and  the  Northwest. 
1876.    $20,000  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers  by  Yellow  Fever  in 

Savannah. 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS         171 

1878.  $172,000  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers  by  the  Yellow  Fever 
in  the  Southwest. 

1880.    $10,000  for  the  relief  of  Yellow  Fever  sufferers  in  Memphis. 

1886.  $89,000  for  the  relief  of  sufferers  from  the  Charleston 
(S.  C.)  earthquake. 

1889.    $57,140  for  the  reUef  of  sufferers  from  the  Johnstown  flood. 

1892.    $51,520  for  the  rehef  of  sufferers  from  famine  in  Russia. 

1898.    $5,403  for  the  relief  of  sufferers  among  the  poor  in  Cuba. 

1900.    $1 21 ,392  for  the  relief  of  sufferers  from  the  Galveston  flood. 

1902.  $109,266  for  relief  of  sufferers  from  the  St  Pierre,  Marti- 
nique, earthquake. 

1906.  $778,000  for  the  relief  of  sufferers  from  the  San  Francisco 
earthquake. 

1909.  $29,000  for  the  relief  of  sufferers  from  the  Messina,  Italy, 
earthquake. 

1913.    $54,932  for  the  relief  of  sufferers  from  the  Western  floods. 

1916-17.    $82,580  for  the  relief  of  sufferers  in  Belgium. 

191 7.  $5,000  for  the  relief  of  sufferers  from  the  explosion  in  Hali- 
fax. 

All  together,  the  charitable  gifts  of  the  Chamber  in  this 
field  have  aggregated  $3,000,000,  nearly  all  of  which  has  been 
contributed  by  its  members.  In  addition,  as  has  been  men- 
tioned in  a  previous  chapter,  it  raised  from  the  country  at 
large  in  1881  a  fund  of  $362,000  for  the  family  of  President 
Garfield.  A  like  fund  of  $100,000  was  raised  by  it  in  1899  for 
the  family  of  Colonel  George  E.  Waring,  in  recognition  of  his 
great  service  to  the  city  in  establishing  an  eflSdent  street- 
cleaning  system. 

A  graceful  act  in  recognition  of  patriotic  services  was  per- 
formed in  1865.  Word  was  received  that  the  family  of  the 
late  Lieutenant  John  F.  Shubrick,  of  the  navy,  living  in  South 
Carolina,  were  in  such  destitute  drcimistances  that  they  were 
compelled  to  offer  for  sale  three  swords  in  their  possession 
which  had  been  presented  to  members  of  the  family  for  dis- 
tinguished service  to  the  country.  Two  of  these  swords  had 
been  presented  to  Lieutenant  Shubrick  of  the  frigate  Con- 
stitution for  valor  displayed  in  the  capture  of  the  British 


172        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

frigate  Guerriere  and  other  British  vessels  in  the  War  of  1812; 
and  the  third  had  been  presented  to  his  son,  also  a  Keutenant 
in  the  United  States  navy,  for  gallant  conduct  at  Vera  Cruz 
and  other  points  during  the  Mexican  war.  The  Chamber, 
finding  that  the  swords  were  in  need  of  repair,  raised  sufficient 
money  to  restore  them  to  good  condition,  and  returned  them 
to  the  family  with  a  gift  of  $2,500  "in  recognition  of  the  valua- 
ble services  rendered  to  our  country  by  the  father  and  son, 
and  as  a  token  that  gratitude  for  fidelity  to  the  flag  of  the 
Union  is  an  abiding  sentiment  with  the  citizens  of  New  York, 
descending  from  generation  to  generation." 

The  grand  total  of  aid  of  all  kinds  extended  by  the  Cham- 
ber exceeds  $3,500,000,  constituting  a  record  of  timely  aid 
and  generous  giving  of  which  the  society  may  be  justiy  proud. 


CHAPTER  XXXm 
OFFICIAL  AND  OTHER  DUTIES 

SELECTION  AND  REGULATION   OF   PILOTS — WAREHOUSING  AND 

seamen's    wages — sailors'     snug    HARBOR — ^NAUTICAL 

SCHOOL — sailors'    HOTELS    OR    BOARDING-HOUSES — 

COMMERCIAL  EDUCATION 

179I-I918 

In  several  ways  the  Chamber  has  been  called  upon  to  co- 
operate in  the  administration  of  laws  which  have  been  en- 
acted chiefly  through  its  advocacy.  Very  early  in  its  history, 
December,  1791,  it  took  up  the  question  of  securing  competent 
and  trustworthy  pilots  for  the  Port  of  New  York,  and  for  more 
than  half  a  century  it  agitated  the  matter  without  respite. 
Finally,  in  1853,  a  system  was  established  which  has  worked 
well  to  the  present  day.  Under  a  law  passed  by  the  State 
Legislature  in  that  year  a  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Pilots 
in  the  City  of  New  York  was  created,  consisting  of  five  per- 
sons to  hold  oflSice  for  two  years,  three  to  be  elected  by  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  two  by  the  marine  insurance 
companies. 

One  of  the  arduous  and  useful  duties  of  each  succeed- 
ing President  of  the  Chamber  is  supervision  of  the  charity 
known  as  the  "Sailors'  Snug  Harbor,"  situated  on  Staten 
Island.  This  was  foimded  by  Captain  Richard  Randall,  who 
died  in  1801.  He  left  a  wiU  by  which  the  income  of  his  residu- 
ary estate  consisting  of  a  farm  of  twenty-one  acres,  lying  be- 
tween Fourth  and  Fifth  Avenues  and  running  from  Waverly 
Place  to  Tenth  Street,  in  New  York  City,  was  to  be  used  for 
the  erection  and  maintenance  of  an  asylum  or  marine  hospital, 

173 


174        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

to  be  called  Sailors'  Snug  Harbor,  for  the  support  of  aged, 
decrepit,  and  worn-out  sailors.  He  named  as  trustees  the 
Chancellor  of  the  State,  the  Mayor  and  Recorder  of  the  city, 
the  President  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  the  president 
and  vice-president  of  the  Marine  Society,  the  rector  of 
Trinity  Church,  and  the  minister  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church.  The  number  of  trustees  has  been  reduced  to  six  by 
the  abolition  of  the  State  office  of  Chancellor  and  the  city  of- 
fice of  Recorder.  There  is  a  tradition  that  Alexander  Hamil- 
ton drew  the  will.  It  was  contested  by  the  heirs  of  Captain 
Randall  for  thirty  years,  but  finally  upheld  in  a  decision  by 
Chancellor  Kent. 

The  property  had  been  bought  by  Captain  Randall  for  about 
$12,500,  and  the  income  from  it  in  1802  was  less  than  $2,000. 
Sufficient  money  was  not  accumulated,  because  of  the  law- 
suit expenses,  to  erect  a  building  till  1833,  and  during  that 
year  thirty  aged  and  indigent  sailors  were  received.  Through 
the  granting  of  ground  leases  the  income  from  the  property 
increased  steadily  and  rapidly,  until  the  present  really  magnif- 
icent institution  was  established.  The  income  from  the  prop- 
erty is  now  about  $600,000. 

From  the  beginning,  the  chief  burden  of  the  trust  has  been 
placed  upon  the  President  of  the  Chamber.  It  has  always 
been  the  custom  for  him  to  be  the  chairman  of  the  board, 
and  as  the  Mayor  seldom  or  never  attends  the  board's  meet- 
ings, the  President  of  the  Chamber,  being  an  experienced  busi- 
ness man,  has  been  selected  to  take  both  leadership  and  re- 
sponsibility. 

In  1873,  the  New  York  Legislature  passed  an  act  authorizing 
a  Nautical  School  as  part  of  the  State  system  of  education  and 
charging  the  Board  of  Education  of  the  city  with  the  duty  of 
organization  and  responsible  control.  It  also  authorized  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  to  appoint  a  committee  whose  duties 
were  to  advise  and  co-operate  with  the  Board  of  Education, 
visit  and  examine  the  school,  and  make  reports  to  the  Chamber, 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS         175 

which  that  body  should  transmit  to  the  Board  of  Education 
with  recommendations.  In  May,  1873,  the  Chamber  ac- 
cepted the  trust  and  appointed  a  committee  of  seven  members 
for  the  purpose  to  serve  for  one  year.  Later  this  committee 
was  entitled  Council  of  the  Nautical  School.  An  act  was  ob- 
tained from  Congress  empowering  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy 
to  detail  for  the  use  of  the  school  in  New  York  and  other  sea- 
ports, vessels  not  needed  for  other  service  and  authorizing  the 
President  to  detail  officers  of  the  navy  for  service  as  superin- 
tendents and  instructors.  In  1874,  the  ship  St.  Mary^s  was 
detailed  for  New  York  and  in  December  of  that  year  the 
school  was  opened.  The  Chamber  took  keen  interest  in  the 
school  from  the  outset,  as  its  object  was  to  train  men  to 
become  officers  in  the  merchant  marine.  In  December,  1876, 
it  voted  to  appropriate  annually  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars 
for  three  prizes  for  pupils  rating  the  highest,  to  be  known  as 
Chamber  of  Commerce  prizes.  Committees  were  appointed 
each  year  by  the  Chamber  and  made  annual  reports,  after 
visiting  the  school  and  thoroughly  examining  its  work.  This 
system  was  continued  for  nearly  forty  years. 

In  1913,  the  Chamber,  having  become  convinced  that  more 
satisfactory  results  could  be  obtained  by  having  the  school 
placed  under  the  control  of  the  State,  recommended  the  pas- 
sage of  a  law  by  the  Legislature  making  that  transfer,  and 
such  a  law  was  enacted.  It  provided  for  a  Board  of  Gov- 
ernors consisting  of  the  State  Commissioner  of  Education  and 
eight  appointive  members,  one  each  from  the  membership  of 
the  following  organizations:  New  York  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce; Maritime  Association  of  New  York;  Marine  Society; 
Alumni  Association  of  the  Nautical  School;  Buffalo  Chamber 
of  Commerce;  Albany  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  a  New 
York  State  member  of  the  National  Board  of  Steam  Naviga- 
tion. Under  the  act  the  State  makes  an  annual  appropria- 
tion for  the  support  of  the  school.  Young  men  from  all 
parts  of  the  State  are  eligible  as  pupils.    The  Chamber  chose 


176         ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

as  its  first  representative  on  the  Board  of  Governors,  Com- 
modore Jacob  W.  Miller,  who  had  for  many  years  served  as 
chairman  of  the  Coimcil.  He  was  elected  chairman  of  the 
new  board. 

Since  1904  the  Chamber  has  appointed  three  of  its  mem- 
bers to  serve  on  a  joint  commission  for  the  regulation  of 
warehouses  in  which  unclaimed  goods  are  placed  in  storage 
by  the  government.  This  joint  commission  is  composed  of 
representatives  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Merchants' 
Association,  Bonded  Warehousemen,  and  the  Collector  of  the 
Port.  Its  duties  are  to  fix  the  rates  for  cartage,  labor,  and  the 
storage  of  goods,  for  the  protection  of  the  consignee  from 
overcharges  of  all  kinds. 

Under  a  State  law  of  1866  there  is  a  Board  of  Commis- 
sioners for  licensing  sailors'  hotels  or  boarding-houses  in  New 
York  City,  which  is  composed  of  one  member  from  each  of  the 
following  organizations:  Chamber  of  Commerce;  American 
Seaman's  Friend  Society;  Board  of  Underwriters;  Marine 
Society;  Society  for  Promoting  the  Gospel  among  Seamen 
in  the  Port  of  New  York;  Maritime  Association;  Seamen's 
Church  Institute;  Seamen's  Christian  Association,  and  St. 
Peter's  Union  for  Catholic  Seamen.  The  duties  of  the  board 
are  to  grant  Hcenses  for  sailors'  hotels  or  boarding-houses, 
after  obtaining  satisfactory  evidence  of  the  respectability 
and  competency  of  the  applicants  and  the  suitableness  of  the 
accommodations.  The  act  was  passed  to  safeguard  sailors 
in  such  lodging-places,  and  the  board  administers  it  in  such 
manner  as  to  insure  respectability  in  the  management  and 
to  protect  the  sailors  from  extortion  and  mistreatment  of  all 
kinds.  The  license  fee  is  twenty-five  dollars  a  year.  The 
actual  expenses  of  the  board  are  deducted  from  the  receipts 
from  licenses,  and  whatever  balance  remains  is  applied  for 
the  relief  of  shipwrecked  and  destitute  sailors.  As  the  board 
is  managed  economically,  a  considerable  siun  is  available 
each  year  for  relief  purposes. 

For  many  years  the  Chamber  has  taken  an  active  and 


ALEXANDER  HAMILTON. 
Painted  by  John  Trumbull  in  1792.     Collection  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS        177 

earnest  interest  in  the  subject  of  commercial  education,  and 
after  long  and  careful  consideration  of  the  subject  a  plan  was 
evolved  in  1913  for  the  establishment  of  a  College  of  Com- 
merce and  Administration,  and  a  Museum  of  Commerce  and 
Civics.  The  idea  was  the  outcome  of  the  visit  of  the  Cham- 
ber's delegation  to  London  in  1901,  during  which  the  dele- 
gates investigated  the  results  which  had  been  accomplished 
by  an  institution  of  the  kind  connected  with  the  London 
Chamber  of  Commerce  in  the  direction  of  the  better  training 
of  young  men  for  business  pursuits.  A  special  committee 
was  appointed  in  191 1  to  make  an  investigation  and  report, 
and  through  its  labors  $500,000  was  pledged  by  an  anony- 
mous donor  for  the  establishment  of  a  College  of  Commerce. 
To  this  sum  was  added  further  pledges  of  $50,000  each  from 
four  persons  as  a  fund  of  $200,000  for  a  Museum  of  Commerce 
and  Civics.  It  was  proposed  by  the  Chamber  that  the  con- 
templated institution  should  be  under  the  joint  auspices  of 
the  city,  the  College  of  the  City  of  New  York,  and  the  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce;  that  the  old  site  of  the  City  College,  at 
Lexington  Avenue  and  23d  Street,  should  be  provided  by  the 
dty  for  the  purpose;  that  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  should 
furnish  the  sum  of  $500,000  for  a  building  and  a  fund  of  $200,- 
000  for  the  establishment  of  the  museum;  and  that  the  city 
should  equip  the  building,  maintain  the  college,  and  pay  the 
running  expenses  of  the  museum.  The  college  and  museum 
were  to  be  administered  by  a  Board  of  Trustees,  consisting  of 
representatives  of  the  city,  the  City  College,  and  the  Chamber 
of  Commerce. 

The  consent  of  the  City  College  trustees  was  obtained  and 
a  contract  was  drawn  up  and  submitted  to  the  Board  of 
Estimate  and  Apportionment  of  the  city  for  approval  in  1914. 
After  long  delays  and  many  conferences,  followed  by  much 
correspondence,  it  became  apparent  that  the  consent  of  the 
Board  of  Estimate  and  Apportionment  could  not  be  secured 
because  of  the  belief  of  its  members  that  the  condition  of  the 


178        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

city's  finances  did  not  permit  of  any  increase  in  the  expense 
of  maintaining  the  city's  educational  faciKties. 

Despairing  of  obtaining  a  favorable  response  from  the 
city  authorities,  the  special  committee  recommended,  in 
January,  191 5,  that  the  donors  of  the  two  funds  of  seven  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars  be  released  from  their  pledges.  This 
was  adopted  and  the  project  was  abandoned,  but  a  standing 
Committee  of  Commercial  Education  was  appointed  and  un- 
der its  guidance  the  Chamber  is  continuing  its  efforts  to  se- 
cure desirable  results  through  co-operation  with  the  city's 
Board  of  Education. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV 
BANQUETS  IN  THE  EARLY  DAYS 

FINES    UPON    ABSENTEES — ^DISTINGUISHED    GUESTS    INVITED — 

ANNUAL  BANQUETS  ESTABLISHED  AS  A  PERMANENT 

INSTITUTION  m   1873 

1769-1805 

At  the  end  of  its  first  year  the  Chamber  was  in  so  flour- 
ishing a  condition  that  its  members  voted  to  celebrate  the 
occasion  with  a  "Publick  Dinner  in  the  Chamber,  at  the 
expense  of  each  member,  absent  members  to  pay  five  shillings." 
As  no  mention  is  made  in  the  minutes  of  the  price  that  mem- 
bers in  attendance  were  to  pay,  the  inference  has  been  drawn 
that  the  entire  cost  of  the  feast  was  defrayed  by  the  absentees. 
If  this  was  the  case  it  is  not  surprising,  especially  since  the 
fine  was  subsequently  raised  to  eight  shillings,  that  the 
absentees  protested  and  sought  to  have  the  practice  abolished 
in  1772,  but  were  defeated  by  the  narrow  margin  of  one  vote. 
No  record  of  subsequent  opposition  appears. 

The  scope  of  the  second  annual  bcinquet  was  greatly  en- 
larged by  sending  invitations  to  the  Lieutenant-Governor; 
the  Council  and  members  of  the  General  Assembly;  Secre- 
taries of  the  Council;  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  His  Maj- 
esty's forces.  General  Gage,  and  his  suite;  the  Captains  of 
His  Majesty's  ships  in  the  harbor,  the  principal  Customs 
ofl5cers,  and  the  Mayor  of  the  city — about  forty  in  all.  No 
mention  of  this  or  any  other  of  the  annual  banquets  appears 
in  the  public  prints  of  the  day,  and  there  is  no  record  of  the 
number  in  attendance  at  any  of  them.  The  invitation  of 
civil  and  military  officials  became  an  established  custom. 

For  the  third  banquet,  in  177 1,  four  members  of  the  Chamber 

179 


i8o        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

were  appointed  stewards  to  "provide  a  Genteel  Dinner," 
and  were  directed  to  wait  upon  Lord  Dunmore,  the  newly 
arrived  Grovemor,  and  ask  him  when  it  would  be  convenient 
for  him  to  do  them  the  honor  of  dining  with  the  Chamber. 
Invitations  were  sent  to  the  same  public  officials  and  others 
that  were  invited  a  year  earlier. 

There  were,  presumably,  toasts  and  speeches  at  these 
feasts,  but  as  no  reports  were  published  in  the  newspapers  and 
no  records  of  the  proceedings  included  in  the  minutes,  an  esti- 
mate of  the  oratorical  abilities  of  those  in  attendance  cannot 
be  attempted. 

The  custom  of  an  annual  dinner  was  observed  quite  regularly 
till  1773,  when  they  were  abandoned  because  of  the  steadily 
increasing  excitement  caused  by  the  approaching  Revolution. 
None  were  held  by  the  loyalist  Chamber  during  that  period. 
As  has  been  noted,  the  feasting  which  marked  the  return  of 
General  Washington  and  the  American  army  was  not  associ- 
ated with  the  Chamber  as  an  organization,  but  soon  after  its 
reorganization  as  an  American  society,  it  seems  to  have  re- 
sumed its  interest  in  functions  of  the  kind. 

At  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Chamber,  on  January  20, 
1785,  it  was  ordered  that  the  "President  be  requested  to  in- 
vite Congress  to  dine  with  the  Board  at  the  Merchants* 
Cofifee  House,  on  Thursday  the  3d  of  February  next,"  and  a 
committee  was  appointed  to  "prepare  a  proper  set  of  toasts 
and  to  make  such  other  arrangements  as  may  be  necessary." 
At  a  meeting  on  February  i  it  was  agreed  unanimously  that 
"every  member  pay  his  Quoto  of  the  expense  of  the  Dinner 
to  be  given  to  Congress  on  Thursday  next." 

There  was  no  mention  of  the  President  as  having  been  in- 
cluded in  the  invitation,  but  in  the  newspapers  of  February 
4  the  banquet  was  spoken  of  as  a  "Dinner  given  by  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  to  His  Excellency  the  President  and 
the  Honourable  members  of  Congress."  This  was  notable  as 
the  first  dinner  given  in  honor  of  the  Government  of  the 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        i8i 

United  States.  There  is  no  record  in  the  minutes  of  the 
Chamber  of  the  cost  of  the  dinner,  but  some  indirect  light  on 
the  subject  is  thrown  by  an  entry  on  April  5  stating  that  "Mr. 
Bradford  of  the  Coflfee  House  presented  a  bill  of  6  poimds 
6  shillings,  the  same  being  the  proportion  of  three  members 
(named)  of  the  expense  of  entertaining  Congress." 

In  June,  1787,  it  was  proposed  that  the  members  of  the 
Chamber  should  dine  together  on  July  4  at  Bradford's  Coffee 
House.  A  member  called  attention  to  the  fact  that  there 
were  other  gentlemen,  not  members  of  the  Chamber,  who  had 
previously  determined  to  dine  at  the  Coffee  House  on  that 
occasion,  and  suggested  that  it  would  "probably  be  more 
agreeable  to  the  whole  to  invite  either  the  Chamber  to  them 
or  them  to  the  Chamber  so  as  to  form  but  one  body,  animated 
by  the  same  soul."  This  was  agreed  to,  and  the  following 
advertisement  was  inserted  in  the  newspapers: 

The  Corporation  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  intend  dining 
at  Bradford's  Coffee  House,  on  Wednesday,  4th  July  next.  Such 
of  the  members  as  mean  to  join  the  Festive  Board,  are  requested 
to  leave  their  names  at  the  Bar,  on  or  before  Monday  evening. 
Gentlemen,  not  members  of  the  Chamber,  who  wish  to  imite  in 
the  Celebration  of  that  memorable  day,  are  desired  to  give  similar 
notice  of  their  Intention. 

It  was  thought  that  "Fifteen  Shillings  each,  would,  with 
Economy,  probably  be  adequate  for  the  expense  of  the  Enter- 
tainment." 

There  are  no  records  to  show  that  the  Fourth  of  July  ban- 
quets became  a  regular  institution.  One  was  held  in  1791, 
and  Alexander  Hamilton,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  was  in- 
vited to  partake  of  it,  a  committee  having  been  appointed  to 
"obtain  suitable  entertainment  at  the  city  tavern,"  the  new 
name  of  the  coffee-house  of  which  Mr.  Bradford  had  been  the 
proprietor.  Whether  Hamilton  accepted  the  invitation,  or 
whether  the  banquet  took  place,  there  is  no  record  to  show. 


i82        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

On  October  3,  1797,  the  Chamber  appointed  a  committee  to 
"prepare  a  dinner  in  honor  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  to  be  given  him  on  his  return  to  the  seat  of  Govern- 
ment, and  make  such  arrangements  on  the  occasion  as  may 
appear  to  them  proper."  No  record  of  this  feast,  if  it  took 
place,  is  extant.  For  1798  two  banquets  are  recorded:  one 
in  May,  "a  Public  dinner  at  the  Tontine  Coffee  House  for  the 
Merchants  in  general  of  the  city,"  and  one  on  July  4,  for 
"members  of  the  Chamber  and  such  of  their  fellow  citizens 
as  may  be  disposed  to  join  them  at  such  place  as  may  be 
thought  suitable." 

The  only  dinner  given  for  many  years  after  this  time  was 
one  in  1805  to  Captain  Edward  Preble,  the  commander  of  the 
successful  naval  expedition  against  Morocco  and  Tripoli,  in 
1 803- 1 804.  The  eleven  years  interregnum  in  the  sessions  of 
the  Chamber  between  1806  and  181 7  put  an  end  to  the  annual 
banquets  for  many  years,  and  it  was  not  till  1873  that  they 
were  resumed  and  re-established  as  a  permanent  institution. 
With  this  resumption  the  Chamber  may  be  said  to  have  en- 
tered upon  a  new  and  most  valuable  field  of  public  enlighten- 
ment and  usefulness.  In  the  old  days  the  annual  and  other 
banquets  exerted  no  public  influence,  as  their  proceedings  were 
not  reported  in  the  newspapers.  The  later  series  was  begun 
in  a  different  era  of  publicity.  From  the  outset  the  modem 
annual  banquet  became  a  recognized  forum  of  public  opinion 
and  information.  The  leading  public  men  of  the  day,  includ- 
ing often  the  President  of  the  United  States  and  members  of 
the  Cabinet,  recognized  in  the  occasion  a  fitting  and  desirable 
opportunity  for  the  utterance  of  official  views,  plans,  and 
policies  which  they  desired  to  bring  to  the  public  attention. 
The  Governor  of  the  State;  Mayor  of  the  city;  Senators  and 
Representatives  in  Congress;  Ambassadors  to  foreign  coun- 
tries, either  on  leave  from  their  posts  or  recently  returned 
from  them  at  the  close  of  service;  distinguished  foreign  visi- 
tors;   diplomatic  representatives  of  foreign  countries;    high 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        183 

dignitaries  of  the  Church;  leaders  of  the  bar;  the  foremost 
orators  of  the  day — in  short,  men  of  mark  and  influence  in 
the  affairs  of  the  world  were  frequent  guests  and  instructive 
speakers. 

For  forty-five  years  the  annual  banquet  has  been  usually 
the  most  notable  event  in  the  conmiercial,  political,  and  social 
life  of  the  city,  and  its  influence,  extending  as  it  has  through- 
out the  country,  has  given  it  the  proportions  and  dignity  of 
a  national  institution.  Not  merely  one  large  volume  but 
several  volumes  could  be  made  from  the  utterances  at  these 
feasts  during  this  period,  and  they  would  constitute  valuable 
and  illuminating,  if  not  comprehensive,  history  of  the  period. 
The  extracts  which  are  reproduced  in  following  pages  have 
been  selected  either  because  of  their  historical  value  and  hence 
worthy  of  preservation,  or  because  of  some  other  quality 
which  gives  them  permanent  interest. 


CHAPTER  XXXV 
EARLIEST  OF  THE  MODERN  BANQUETS 

SPEECH  BY  WILLIAM  M.  EVARTS — PRESIDENT  HAYES  AND  OTHER 

DISTINGUISHED  GUESTS — YORKTOWN  ANNIVERSARY — 

GENERAL  GRANT  ON  HYPHENATED  AMERICANS 

1873-1883 

The  first  banquet  of  the  series  on  May  i,  1873,  demon- 
strated at  once  the  usefuhiess  of  the  institution.  There  were 
about  two  hundred  persons  present,  and  among  the  dis- 
tinguished guests  were  William  M.  Evarts,  Mayor  Opdyke, 
General  Winfield  S.  Hancock,  and  M.  Wakayama,  a  repre- 
sentative of  the  Treasury  Department  of  Japan,  who  was 
visiting  the  United  States  at  the  time.  Mr.  Evarts,  who  for 
many  succeeding  years  was  one  of  the  favorite  orators  at  these 
gatherings,  delivered  an  impressive  address  in  which  he  spoke 
of  the  important  part  which  merchants  had  played  in  our 
history,  saying  that  "Commerce  and  the  merchants  who  for- 
merly represented  commerce,  had  much  to  do — everything  to 
do — with  the  promotion  of  the  present  National  Government." 
"One  tithe,"  he  declared,  "of  the  energy  and  public  spirit 
by  which  a  few  merchants  in  disguise  threw  the  tea  over- 
board in  Boston  harbor,  will  enable  us  to  throw  overboard 
from  the  Ship  of  State  a  great  many  incumbrances  that  are 
unsatisfactory  and  disagreeable.  We  in  our  country  seem  to 
have  assumed  that  good  government,  secured  by  the  merits 
of  our  ancestors,  was  as  permanent  a  possession  of  our  race 
as  all  the  good  gifts  of  cHmate  and  a  grateful  soil;  but  we  still 
find  that  all  that  freedom  can  do  for  man,  and  all  that  the  in- 
stitutions of  freedom  can  do  for  men,  is  to  enable  them, 
possessing  the  spirit  and  courage  of  freemen,  to  defend  them- 
selves against  aggression  at  home  and  abroad." 

184 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        185 

Henry  Wilson,  Vice-President,  and  Mayor  Havemeyer 
were  among  the  guests  in  1874,  and  in  1876  there  was  a 
notable  assemblage  of  eminent  persons,  including  Governor 
Tilden;  Edwards  Pierrepont,  Attorney-General  of  the  United 
States;  John  Bigelow;  Charles  O'Connor;  Joseph  H.  Choate; 
Judge  Brady;  Ex- Governor  John  A.  Dix,  and  General  Horace 
Porter.  President  Hayes  was  the  chief  guest  of  honor  in 
1877,  and  with  him  were  two  members  of  his  Cabinet,  Mr. 
Evarts,  Secretary  of  State,  and  Carl  Schurz,  Secretary  of 
the  Interior.  Other  guests  were  General  W.  T.  Sherman; 
General  W.  S.  Hancock;  Hugh  McCulloch,  Ex-Secretary  of 
the  Treasury;  Mayor  Ely;  the  Reverend  Doctor  R.  S.  Storrs, 
and  David  A.  Wells.  The  national  character  of  the  banquets 
is  revealed  in  this  list  as  being  established  on  a  firm  foim- 
dation.  President  Hayes  made  no  formal  speech,  merely 
uttering  a  few  words  of  thanks  and  expressing  pleasure  in 
being  present. 

At  the  banquet  of  May  13,  1879,  there  was  an  imposing 
array  of  distinguished  guests,  including  Andrew  D.  White, 
American  Minister  to  Berlin;  Joseph  H.  Choate;  the  Rev- 
erend Doctor  H.  C.  Potter;  the  Reverend  Doctor  H.  W. 
Bellows,  and  Senator  James  G.  Blaine.  The  Senator  was 
called  upon  unexpectedly  for  a  speech  on  the  "Revival  of 
American  Shipping  and  Commerce,"  and  in  the  course  of  it 
he  paid  a  handsome  tribute  to  the  society  by  saying:  "If  I 
speak  with  the  voice  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  New 
York,  I  know  that  I  speak  with  a  voice  far  mightier  than  any 
that  has  been  raised  in  Congress,  and  I  have  it  to  declare 
that  if  it  be  the  will  of  that  Chamber  and  of  the  people  to 
institute  a  policy  for  the  revival  of  American  commerce,  then 
it  is  done." 

John  Sherman,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  was  the  guest  of 
honor  in  1880,  and  made  an  informing  sp>eech  upon  the 
finances  of  the  nation  and  the  administration's  policy  in  regard 
to  them.    Other  guests  were  Mayor  Edward  Cooper  and  the 


i86        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

Reverend  Robert  CoUyer.  Two  members  of  President  Gar- 
field's Cabinet,  William  Windom,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
and  Thomas  L.  James,  Postmaster-General,  with  Levi  P. 
Morton,  American  Minister  to  France,  were  guests  of  honor 
in  May,  1881. 

In  addition  to  the  annual  dinner  in  May,  1881,  a  special 
banquet  was  given  by  the  Chamber  in  honor  of  the  guests  of 
the  nation  who  had  arrived  in  the  country  to  attend  the 
centennial  celebration  of  the  victory  at  Yorktown.  The 
visitors  were  mainly  from  France  and  included  descendants  of 
Lafayette,  Rochambeau,  Coimt  de  Grasse,  and  others  who 
had  come  to  the  aid  of  the  American  colonies  in  their  struggle 
for  independence,  and  of  the  Baron  de  Steuben,  who  had 
rendered  like  service.  Through  the  aid  thus  rendered,  vic- 
tory had  been  achieved  at  Yorktown,  causing  Washington  to 
say  on  the  morning  of  the  Yorktown  victory  that  because  of 
it  the  American  people  owed  to  France  the  "most  unalterable 
gratitude."  The  Chamber,  deeply  sensible  of  this  lasting 
obligation,  took  steps  while  the  distinguished  visitors  were 
still  on  their  way  to  the  United  States,  to  prepare  a  suitable 
tribute  of  respect  and  honor  to  them,  recalling  the  Treaty  of 
Alliance  with  France  in  1778,  and  declaring  that  the  friend- 
ship pledged  by  France  at  that  time  had  been  "faithfully  and 
honorably  maintained  for  more  than  a  century." 

A  banquet  was  decided  upon  as  the  most  desirable  form  in 
which  to  show  the  visitors  honor,  and  one  was  given  at  Del- 
monico's  on  the  evening  of  November  5.  The  dining-hall  on 
the  occasion  was  decorated  with  flowers,  flags,  and  festoons 
of  evergreens.  The  flags  of  the  United  States  and  France 
were  draped  in  groups  over  American  shields  around  the 
walls.  There  were  two  hundred  and  fifty  persons  present, 
including  thirty-five  French  delegates,  many  of  whom  were 
descendants  of  Lafayette  and  the  other  French  oflScers  of  the 
Revolution,  and  six  descendants  of  the  Baron  de  Steuben, 
all  of  whom  bore  his  name.    Brief  speeches  were  made  by  a 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        187 

descendant  of  Rochambeau  for  the  French  guests,  and  by  a 
descendant  of  Steuben  for  his  associates,  and  there  were  formal 
addresses  by  the  Reverend  Doctor  Richard  S.  Storrs,  William 
M.  Evarts,  A.  A.  Low,  Carl  Schurz,  and  John  Austin  Stevens. 
Perhaps  the  most  notable  contribution  of  the  evening  was 
made  by  Mr.  Evarts  who  spoke  to  a  toast  on  the  treaty  of 
1778.  "It  was  a  very  great  thing,"  he  said,  "for  France  to 
make  the  Treaty  of  Alliance  and  the  Treaty  of  Amity  and 
Commerce  with  a  nation  that,  as  yet,  had  received  no  accep- 
tance from  the  Powers  of  the  earth.  And  when  we  remember 
that  France,  in  the  contests  of  a  thousand  years,  had  found 
England  no  unequal  match  in  the  quarrels  that  belonged  to 
the  two  nations,  I  must  think  that  human  history  has  shown 
nothing  nobler  than  her  espousal  of  this  growing  struggle  be- 
tween these  colonists  and  the  great  power  of  England.  How 
much  nearer  France  was  to  England  than  we!  How  much 
wider  her  possessions  through  the  world,  open  to  the  thimder 
of  the  British  navy  and  the  prowess  of  the  British  army! 
And  when  France,  in  a  treaty,  the  equal  terms  of  which  will 
strike  every  reader  with  wonder,  speaks  of  'the  common 
cause,'  to  be  pursued  until  the  result  of  our  complete  inde- 
pendence, governmental  and  commercial,  was  attained,  I 
know  nothing,  in  the  way  of  '  the  bearing  the  burdens  of  one 
another,'  enjoined  as  the  Christian  spirit,  that  is  greater  than 
this  stupendous  action  of  France." 

The  banquet  of  May,  1883,  was  distinguished  by  a  brief 
but  forcible  speech  by  General  Grant  which,  read  at  the  pres- 
ent time,  has  an  extraordinarily  close  application  to  conditions 
growing  out  of  our  participation  in  the  European  War.  "We 
have  witnessed,"  he  said,  "on  many  occasions  here  the  for- 
eign, the  adopted,  citizen  claiming  rights  and  privileges  be- 
cause he  was  an  adopted  citizen.  That  is  all  wrong,"  he 
continued,  "  let  him  come  here  and  enjoy  all  the  privileges  that 
we  enjoy,  but  let  him  fulfil  all  the  obligations  that  we  are 
expected  to  fulfil.    After  he  has  adopted  it,  let  this  be  his 


i88        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

country — 3.  country  that  he  will  fight  for  and  die  for  if  neces- 
sary. I  am  glad  to  say  that  the  great  majority  of  them  do  it, 
but  some  of  them,  who  mingle  in  politics,  seem  to  bank  largely 
on  the  fact  that  they  are  adopted  citizens;  and  that  class  I 
am  opposed  to  as  much  as  I  am  opposed  to  many  other 
things  that  I  see  that  are  popular  now." 


CHAPTER  XXXVI 
STATUE  OF  LIBERTY  BANQUETS 

SPEECHES  BY  FREDERIC  R.   COUDERT — LETTER  FROM 
A.   BARTHOLDI 

1885-1886 

The  Chamber  gave  two  banquets  in  connection  with  the 
gift  of  the  Statue  of  Liberty  which  rank  among  the  most 
smnptuous  and  interesting  of  its  long  series.  The  first  was 
at  Dehnonico's  on  the  evening  of  June  24,  1885,  and  was  in 
honor  of  the  commander  and  officers  of  the  French  national 
ship  Isere,  which  brought  the  statue  from  France,  and  Ad- 
miral Lacombe,  of  the  French  flag-ship  La  Flore.  The  ad- 
dress of  welcome  was  made  in  French  by  Frederic  R.  Coudert, 
then  a  leader  of  the  New  York  bar,  and  one  of  the  most  de- 
lightful and  eloquent  orators  that  the  city  has  ever  produced. 
Turning  to  the  guests,  he  said:  "  Gentlemen,  you  are  welcome ! 
Welcome,  because  you  bring  us  a  souvenir  of  a  beloved  land — 
welcome,  because  you  revive  in  our  hearts  splendid  memories 
and  kindly  emotions.  The  great  dead  live  again  to-day  by 
your  presence.  How  many  heroes  of  the  past  come  back  to 
take  their  seats  among  us,  full  of  grace,  of  life,  of  strength,  of 
courage !  A  century  disappears,  and  we  hold  out  our  hands 
to  you  as  in  those  days  of  hard-earned  triumph,  and  cry  out: 
'You  are  our  friends;  our  country  is  your  country;  our  glory 
is  your  glory;  honor  to  you;  honor  to  your  mother  over  the 
sea.  May  she  be  happy  and  blest  among  the  nations!'" 
Alluding  to  the  Frenchmen  who  came  to  America  to  aid  in  the 
Revolution  as  "knights  of  prowess,"  Mr.  Coudert  proceeded, 
with  his  inimitable  lightness  of  touch,  to  delight  the  assem- 
blage by  saying:  "They  resisted  everything;  all  dangers, 
fire  and  sword,  American  winters,  and  even  American  tea  and 

189 


I90         ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

American  cooking.  How  much  they  suffered  from  the  inflic- 
tion of  these  two  instrtunents  of  torture,  and  how  nobly  they 
endured  the  infliction,  will  never  be  more  than  imperfectly 
known.  Yet  there  is  enough  to  show  that  their  sufferings 
were  not  light.  One  unfortunate  warrior,  writing  to  his 
friends  at  home,  describes  the  punishment  inflicted  upon  him- 
self under  the  guise  of  tea,  and  relates  how,  driven  beyond 
endurance  on  one  occasion,  he  turned  pleasantly  to  his  hostess 
and  said:  'Madame,  if  your  servant  makes  me  drink  anymore 
hot  water  I  will  tell  him  to  go  to  helel'  I  have  a  notion  that 
some  of  their  enthusiasm  for  the  American  cause  is  traceable 
to  the  knowledge  that  one  of  the  first  acts  of  rebellion  on  the 
part  of  the  colonies  was  to  throw  a  large  quantity  overboard 
into  Boston  harbor.  How  cheerfully  they  would  have  joined 
in  the  operation,  and  how  gladly  repeated  it,  we  may  conjec- 
ture." 

Brief  replies  were  made  by  Admiral  Lacombe  and  Com- 
mander De  Saune  of  the  Isere,  and  Mr.  Evarts  paid  a  unique 
tribute  to  the  latter  by  saying:  "As  for  Commandant  De 
Saune,  he  has  done  what  in  the  history  of  the  world — our 
modem  world,  at  least — no  nation,  no  ruler  has  successfully 
attempted;  he  has  kept  'Liberty  Enlightening  the  World' 
under  the  hatches  for  thirty  days.  It  was  tried  in  England, 
and  'Liberty  Enlightening  the  World'  cut  off  the  head  of  the 
King.  Tried  again,  it  drove  the  dynasty  of  the  Stuarts  for- 
ever from  that  free  island.  In  France  they  tried  to  suppress  it, 
and  it  uprooted  the  ancient  monarchy  and  scattered  the 
forces  which  were  expected  to  repress  it.  The  milder  form 
of  a  limited  monarchy  even,  France  would  not  submit  to  as  a 
repression  of  Liberty.  And,  again,  twice  over,  under  the 
Imperial  Government,  'Liberty  Enlightening  the  World'  has 
broken  out  from  under  the  hatches." 

Another  speaker  was  General  Horace  Porter,  a  familiar 
and  always  welcome  guest  at  the  Chamber's  banquets.  A 
brief  quotation  from  his  remarks  will  not  be  uninteresting. 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        191 

"A  few  years  ago,"  he  said,  "distinguished  military  men  from 
abroad  came  here  to  participate  in  the  celebration  of  the  one 
hundredth  anniversary  of  the  surrender  of  Yorktown  by  Lord 
Cornwallis.  There  were  invited  here  by  the  Government  the 
descendants  of  all  the  distinguished  foreigners  who  partici- 
pated in  that  historical  event,  except  the  descendants  of 
Lord  Cornwallis,  and  if  our  French  guests  had  been  here  then, 
and  had  gone  down  and  seen  Yorktown,  they  would  not  have 
wondered  that  Cornwallis  gave  up  that  place;  their  only 
astonishment  would  have  been  why  he  consented  to  remain 
there  as  long  as  he  did." 

When  on  October  28,  i886,  the  Statue  of  Liberty  was  dedi- 
cated with  impressive  ceremonies,  the  Chamber  gave  a  ban- 
quet to  the  distinguished  guests  attending  the  exercises  on  the 
evening  of  the  day.  There  were  about  two  hundred  and 
forty  persons  in  attendance,  including  the  prominent  mer- 
chants, bankers,  and  business  men  of  the  city.  Among  the 
French  guests  was  Count  Ferdinand  de  Lesseps.  The  ad- 
dress of  welcome  was  again  made  in  French  by  Frederic  R. 
Coudert,  and  speeches  were  made  in  the  same  language 
by  several  of  the  French  representatives.  George  William 
Curtis  responded  to  the  toast  "Washington  and  Lafayette," 
and  aroused  great  enthusiasm  by  saying  at  the  close  of  his 
speech:  "Li  Washington,  Lafayette  saw  America  as  we  see 
yonder  statue  in  the  bay — calm,  regnant,  self-possessed — a 
mighty  figure  of  Liberty,  standing  on  the  western  shore,  lift- 
ing to  the  stars  a  light  as  glorious  as  their  own,  because  herald- 
ing the  peaceful  federation  of  the  world;  and  he  went  home  to 
teach  revolutionary  France  to  light  her  torch  at  the  inex- 
tinguishable fires  of  constitutional  liberty.  This,  at  last, 
his  native  land  has  done;  and  republican  France  to-day  is 
the  political  child  of  Washington,  and  the  dream  of  Lafayette 
fulfilled.  And  as  the  glory  of  republican  liberty  more  and  more 
enlightens  the  world,  it  is  a  glory  in  which  the  name  of  Lafay- 
ette will  be  inseparable  from  that  of  Washington." 


192         ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

A  brief  speech  was  made  by  the  author  of  the  statue,  A. 
Bartholdi,  who  responded  to  the  toast:  "Jupiter  one  day  had 
a  severe  headache;  Vulcan  opened  his  head  with  an  axe; 
Minerva  came  forth  fully  armed."  "  I  see,"  he  said,  "in  the 
title  of  this  toast  that  Jupiter  was  fortunate  enough  to  give 
birth  to  Minerva  with  a  plain  little  headache.  I  am  obliged 
to  confess  that  my  headache  has  been  somewhat  longer.  I 
have  now  had  that  headache  for  about  fifteen  years;  and  if 
I  had  not  received  the  most  kindly  and  beneficent  support  I 
believe  that  no  axe  would  have  opened  my  head  enough  to 
bring  out  the  Statue  of  Liberty." 

That  the  representatives  of  France  appreciated  highly 
the  courtesies  extended  to  them  by  the  Chamber  was  shown  in 
a  gratifying  manner  in  1887,  when  a  very  rare  and  beautiful 
Sevres  vase,  which  is  one  of  the  highly  prized  possessions  of 
the  society,  was  presented  to  it  accompanied  by  the  sub- 
joined letter: 

Paris,  April  15, 1887. 

Mr.  PREsroENT:  The  members  of  the  French  delegation,  at  the 
Inauguration  of  the  Statue  of  Liberty,  have  been,  since  their  re- 
turn, wishing  to  present  you  with  the  expression  of  their  grate- 
ful feelings  for  your  splendid  and  hearty  reception. 

It  was  only  near  the  beginning  of  this  year  that  a  full  meeting 
of  the  delegation  could  take  place,  and  these  gentlemen  have  re- 
quested the  French  Government  to  grant  them  the  disposal  of 
some  vases  from  the  Sevres  National  Manufactory  to  accompany 
the  expression  of  their  kind  souvenir. 

The  object  intended  for  your  honorable  society  will  reach  you 
through  the  care  of  the  French  Consul  in  New  York.  Our  present, 
notwithstanding  the  real  value  of  all  that  is  produced  by  the  cele- 
brated institution,  is  merely,  considering  all  that  you  have  done  for 
us,  a  very  modest  token  of  our  friendship;  but  we  beg  you  to  look 
at  it,  as  it  were,  a  plain  "carte  de  visite,"  and  to  only  think  of  the 
feelings  attached  to  it — our  sincere  thoughts  of  gratitude. 

Please  to  be  the  interpreter  of  these  feelings  before  your  most 
honorable  society,  and  assure  them  of  the  grateful  remembrance 
felt  by  all  the  members  of  the  delegation. 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        193 

To  the  foregoing  I  would  join  the  assurance  of  my  personal 
devotion,  and  remain,  Mr.  President,  yours  respectfully,  on  behalf 
of  the  French  delegation. 

(Signed)  A.  Bartholdi. 

To  the  President  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  New  York. 


CHAPTER  XXXVn 
JOSEPH  CHAMBERLAIN  CHIEF  GUEST  OF  HONOR 

SPEECHES    BY   HIM   AND    BY  L.   Q.   C.   LAMAR,   SECRETARY    OF 
THE  INTERIOR 

1887 

The  annual  dinner  of  1887  was  made  memorable  by  the 
presence  of  the  Right  Honorable  Joseph  Chamberlain,  who 
was  in  the  country  at  the  time  as  the  special  commissioner  of 
the  British  Government  to  bring  about  a  settlement  of  the 
fisheries  controversy  between  the  United  States  and  Canada. 
There  was  in  the  country  at  the  same  time  a  Peace  Com- 
mission, including  three  members  of  the  British  Parliament, 
who  bore  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  and  to  Con- 
gress a  message  of  Christian  peace  and  good-will  from  two 
hundred  and  fifty  members  of  the  British  House  of  Commons 
and  fifty  members  of  the  House  of  Lords.  These  were  also 
guests  of  honor  at  the  banquet.  There  was  a  large  attendance 
of  prominent  citizens  of  all  occupations  and  professions.  A 
letter  of  regret  was  read  from  President  Cleveland,  and  two 
members  of  his  Cabinet,  Charles  S.  Fairchild,  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury,  and  L.  Q.  C.  Lamar,  Secretary  of  the  Interior, 
were  present. 

Secretary  Lamar  responded  to  the  toast  to  "The  President" 
and  in  doing  so  cited  at  the  outset  two  verbal  messages  of  gen- 
uine Cleveland  quality  that  the  President  had  given  him. 
The  first  was:  "Remind  the  gentlemen  of  the  New  York 
Chamber  of  Commerce  that  the  two  great  causes  which  origi- 
nated the  Convention  which  adopted  the  present  Federal  Con- 
stitution were,  first,  the  necessity  of  a  national  executive  to 
represent  the  united  sovereignty  of  this  great  Republic;  and, 

194 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        195 

second,  the  necessity  of  a  national  supervision,  protection, 
and  regulation  of  the  national  commerce  with  foreign  nations, 
and  between  the  States  of  the  Union." 

The  second  was:  "Say  to  the  gentlemen  of  commerce,  also, 
that  the  Government  of  the  people  should  reflect  the  same 
sturdy  virtue  and  industry  which  lie  at  the  foundation  of  the 
people's  success  and  prosperity,  and  that  you,  gentlemen  of  the 
New  York  Chamber  of  Commerce,  can  contribute  no  little  to 
that  important  result  by  exacting  of  your  national  Govern- 
ment the  observance  of  the  same  methods,  and  the  exercise 
of  the  same  qualities  which  have  enabled  you  to  do  so  much 
for  yoiu*  proud  metropolis,  and  to  support  a  Government  en- 
deavoring to  reach  those  standards  with  your  characteristic 
firmness  of  purpose  and  energy  of  action,  so  that  a  business 
Government  and  a  business  people  may  go  hand  in  hand  to- 
gether." 

Secretary  Lamar  then  asked  the  privilege  "which  we  South- 
ern men  enjoy  upon  occasions  like  the  present"  of  offering  a 
volunteer  toast  as  follows:  "The  New  York  Chamber  of 
Commerce:  the  representative  of  a  class  of  American  citizens 
held  in  high  and  honorable  estimation  all  over  the  United 
States."  In  concluding,  the  Secretary  said:  "It  has  been  said 
by  an  English  poet,  that  'Commerce  is  the  golden  girdle  of 
the  globe.'  See  to  it,  gentlemen,  that  that  link  which  Ameri- 
can commerce  contributes  to  this  friendly  bond  shall  be  of 
pure  gold,  worked  with  industry,  strong  in  the  honesty  of  its 
substance,  symbolizing  by  its  weight,  its  brilliancy,  and  its 
solidity,  the  character  of  the  men  who  wrought  it." 

Mr.  Chamberlain  was  very  happy  in  his  address.  "I  will 
promise  you,  for  myself,"  he  said,  "  that  I  do  not  ask  you  to  be- 
come men  of  peace  *at  any  price.'  And  I  will  go  further,  and 
assure  you  that  I  do  not  look  forward  to  any  settlement  of 
the  question  which  we  have  to  discuss  which  shall  give  undue 
advantage  to  either  party.  I  do  not  think  that  it  is  at  all 
likely  that  I  can  gain  such  an  advantage  in  a  discussion  with 


196        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

the  representatives  of  the  shrewdest  race  in  the  world.  If  I 
could  gain  it,  I  would  not  attempt  to  do  it;  because  I  am  per- 
fectly convinced  that  it  is  not  now  the  interest  of  any  great 
nation  to  make  a  settlement  which  is  not  permanent  and  satis- 
factory to  all  the  parties  concerned." 

A  moment  later  in  his  speech  Mr.  Chamberlain  gave  a 
striking  illustration  of  the  facility  of  English  statesmen  in 
quotation: 

Mr.  Secretary  Lamar,  in  his  concluding  observations,  quoted 
a  line  from  an  English  poet.  I  cannot  help  completing  the  quota- 
tion, because  I  think  it  particularly  apposite  to  the  view  which  I 
have  been  endeavoring  to  Impress  upon  you.  The  quotation  is 
from  the  poet  Cowper,  who  says: 

"  The  band  of  commerce  is  designed 
To  associate  all  the  branches  of  mankind, 
And  if  a  boundless  plenty  be  the  robe, 
Trade  is  the  golden  girdle  of  the  globe." 

Gentlemen,  I  have  no  doubt  that  considerations  of  this  kind 
will  weigh  heavily  in  any  controversy  between  Great  Britain  and 
the  United  States;  for,  in  spite  of  all  the  obstacles  which  politicians 
have  contrived  to  interpose  to  free  intercourse,  it  still  remains  the 
fact,  that  the  two  countries  are  the  greatest  customers,  one  of  the 
other.  At  the  present  moment  one-sixth  of  the  whole  foreign  trade 
of  the  United  Kingdom  and  more  than  one-tenth  of  our  total  ex- 
port business  is  transacted  with  the  United  States,  and  on  the 
other  hand,  considerably  more  than  one-half  of  your  total  exports 
find  a  market  in  the  United  Kingdom.  Is  it  not  true,  then,  to 
say,  under  such  circumstances,  that  we  have  both  "  given  hostages 
to  fortune,"  and  that  we  cannot  afford  the  luxury  of  a  quarrel? 
No,  gentlemen,  our  sentiments  and  our  interests  alike  combine 
to  cement  the  ties  which  kinship  and  our  common  origin  have 
contributed  to  establish. 

Speeches  were  also  made  by  Abram  S.  Hewitt,  then  Mayor 
of  the  city,  (Jeorge  William  Curtis,  and  James  C.  Carter. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON, 

Palnte<l  by  Cilhert  Stuart.    CoUectiuii  ufilie  Cliamber  or  Commerce. 


CHAPTER  XXXVm 
GOLDWIN  SMITH  CHIEF  GUEST  OF  HONOR 

GENERAL    SHERMAN   ON    "LOYALTY    TO    THE    FLAG" — CLEVE- 
LAND ON  "what  TO  DO   WITH  EX-PRESn)ENTS " 

1888-1889 

In  the  autumn  of  1888  Gold  win  Smith  was  in  the  United 
States  in  the  interest  of  a  settlement  of  the  fisheries  question 
between  this  country  and  Canada,  and  he  and  General  W.  T. 
Sherman  were  the  chief  guests  of  honor  at  the  banquet  in 
November  of  that  year.  General  Sherman,  who  spoke  first, 
gave  evidence  that  he  had  few  Democratic  sympathies. 
''There  has  never  been  since  the  creation  of  the  earth,"  he 
declared,  "stronger  evidence  of  the  virtue  of  any  nation  than 
in  the  fact  that  four  years  ago  the  people  of  the  United  States 
elected  to  the  Chief  Magistracy  one  who  took  into  the  national 
council  and  sent  abroad  as  representatives  of  our  country 
men  who  a  few  years  before  had  fought  against  us,  and  yet 
the  people  submitted  to  this  without  a  whimper.  This  is 
now  changed.  Now,  the  people  have  chosen  a  man  of  my 
own  style  and  stamp,  and  I,  for  one,  say  openly  that  I  am 
glad  of  it.  I  am  not  only  proud  of  Ben  Harrison  as  one  of 
my  soldier  boys,  but  am  glad  to  know  that  no  man  shall 
represent  that  flag  in  foreign  lands  but  one  who  in  the  day 
and  hour  of  danger  was  true  to  it." 

Goldwin  Smith  spoke  to  the  toast,  "Our  Relations  with 
Canada."  He  advocated  commercial  union  between  the 
United  States  and  Canada,  and  in  beginning  his  remarks  said: 
'*As  you  have  some  gentlemen  among  you  whose  delight  it 
is  to  twist  the  tail  of  the  lion,  so  we  have  some  whose  delight 
it  is  to  twitch  the  feathers  of  the  eagle,  but  their  number  is 

197 


198        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

small,  though  they  take  care  that  the  public  shall  not  over- 
look their  existence.  The  imperial  bird,  probably,  feels  it  as 
little  as  the  royal  beast.  Both  sets  know  pretty  well  that 
nothing  serious  will  ever  happen,  and  that  they  are  not  likely 
ever  to  be  called  upon  to  face  the  shot."  Touching  upon  one 
aspect  of  union  not  often  thought  of,  he  said:  "Why,  there  are 
a  million  of  Canadians  already  on  the  south  of  the  line;  peo- 
ple who  swagger  about  iron-clads  forget  that  they  would  be 
bombarding  their  own  sons  and  brothers.  As  to  the  Fisheries 
question,  I  believe  you  will  agree  with  me,  that  if  diplomacy 
cannot  settle  it  soon  and  amicably,  the  pay  of  the  diplomatists 
ought  to  be  stopped."  In  regard  to  commercial  union,  he 
made  these  statements:  "Observe  that  the  principle  of  Com- 
mercial Union  applies  merely  to  the  internal  trade  of  the 
continent.  We  do  not  raise  the  general  question  between 
protection  and  free  trade,  which  di\'ided  your  political  parties 
in  the  recent  election.  We  do  not  meddle  with  the  seaboard 
tariff  otherwise  than  for  the  purpose  of  assimilation.  We 
only  say  a  line  of  custom-houses  drawn  across  this  continent, 
whether  between  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  or  between 
New  York  and  Ontario,  is,  on  any  hj^othesis,  a  nuisance,  and 
ought  to  be  removed." 

Congressman  S.  S.  (Sunset)  Cox,  an  inveterate  joker,  was 
also  one  of  the  speakers  and  contributed  this  historical  in- 
formation about  the  Smith  family:  "Why,  in  the  early  days 
of  Grecian  history,  they  were  demigods  and  founders  of 
States.  The  only  place  where  they  were  not  recorded  is  in 
Samuel — the  chapter  and  verse  I  will  not  recall,  as  I  am  not 
certain  about  them.  But  it  will  not  hurt  you  to  search  for 
the  verse  yourselves  from  Genesis  to  Revelations.  The 
words  are:  'There  was  no  smith  in  aU  Israel.'  Whenever 
the  children  of  Israel  wanted  to  sharpen  their  spears,  or  polish 
their  ploughshares  or  cutlasses,  or  dose  up  the  rivets  in  their 
armor,  they  had  to  go  down  to  Tyre  or  Sidon,  and  call  in  the 
smiths  of  that  locality.    In  the  early  chronicles  of  Norseland^ 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        199 

it  is  said,  the  Smiths  were  honored  by  being  admitted  to  the 
royal  presence.  They  drank  mead  with  the  king.  I  never 
saw  a  Smith  in  my  life  who  would  ever  refuse  to  take  a  drink. 
It  mattered  not  what  kind  of  liquor." 

There  was  an  unusually  large  number  of  distinguished  guests 
at  the  banquet  on  November  29, 1889,  including  Ex-President 
Cleveland,  General  Sherman,  E.  J.  Phelps,  ex-American  minis- 
ter to  England;  Justice  Miller  of  the  United  States  Supreme 
Court;  Secretary  Noble  of  President  Harrison's  Cabinet; 
Carl  Schurz,  General  O.  O.  Howard,  and  the  Earl  of  Meath. 
Mr.  Cleveland,  who  had  recently  been  elected  an  Honorary 
Member  of  the  Chamber,  and  who  had  retired  from  the 
Presidency  in  March  preceding,  was  in  a  Jovial  mood  and 
made  a  speech  which  has  genuine  historical  value.  "There 
has  been  much  discussion  lately,"  he  said,  "concerning  the 
disposition  which  should  be  made  of  our  Ex-Presidents;  and 
many  plans  have  been  suggested  for  putting  us  out  of  the 
way.  I  am  sure  we  are  very  sorry  to  make  so  much  trouble, 
but  I  do  hope  that  whatever  conclusion  may  be  reached,  the 
recommendation  of  a  Kentucky  newspaper  editor,  to  take  us 
out  and  shoot  us,  will  not  be  adopted.  Prior  to  the  4th  day 
of  last  March  I  did  not  appreciate  as  well  as  I  do  now  the 
objections  to  this  proceeding,  but  I  have  had  time  to  reflect 
upon  the  subject  since,  and  I  find  excellent  reasons  for  op- 
posing this  plan.  If  I  should  be  allowed  to  express  myself 
upon  this  question,  I  would  suggest  that  the  best  way  to  deal 
with  your  troublesome  Ex-Presidents  is  to  let  them  alone, 
and  give  them  the  same  chance  to  earn  an  honest  living  that 
other  people  have.  And  if  for  any  reason  you  desire  to  honor 
them,  it  cannot  be  done  better  than  by  putting  their  names 
upon  the  roll  of  honorary  membership  of  the  New  York  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce." 

Mr.  Phelps  spoke  of  the  fact  that  the  banquet  was  in  cele- 
bration of  the  Chamber's  one  hundred  and  twenty-first  anni- 
versary, saying  there  were  very  few  institutions  of  any  sort 


200        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

in  this  country  which  could  extend  to  their  friends  the  hos- 
pitalities of  their  hundred  and  twenty-first  year,  and  added: 
"  Such  an  institution  indicates  something  more  than  the  flight 
of  time.  It  has  memories  and  traditions  worthy  to  be  cher- 
ished. It  has  had  its  struggles  and  won  its  victories,  and  has 
left  its  mark  on  its  time  for  good.  I  congratulate  you  that 
it  shows  no  signs  of  decrepitude  or  decay;  that  it  has  not  de- 
generated in  its  quality  nor  diminished  in  its  influence.  The 
present  unites  with  the  past  in  assuring  us  that  when  another 
hundred  and  twenty  years  shall  have  gone,  it  will  still  remain 
what  it  is  to-day,  the  dignified  representative  of  the  great 
business  and  the  great  interests  of  the  greatest  American  city." 


CHAPTER  XXXIX 
FINANCIAL  CRISIS  OF  1890 

SERVICES  RENDERED  BY  MERCHANTS — PRESmENT  ELIOT  ON 

HARVARD  GRADUATES — LAST  APPEARANCE  AND  SPEECH 

OF  GENERAL  SHERMAN — G.  W.  CURTIS  ON 

WASHINGTON  IRVING 

1890 

The  banquet  of  1890  was  one  of  the  largest  yet  held  by  the 
Chamber,  the  number  of  applications  exceeding  the  capacity 
of  Delmonico's  dining-hall.  Among  the  distinguished  guests 
were  Ex-President  Cleveland,  Carl  Schurz,  General  Sherman, 
General  Schofield,  George  William  Curtis,  President  Charles 
W.  Eliot  of  Harvard  University,  and  Bishop  H.  C.  Potter. 

Unusual  interest  attached  to  the  gathering  because  it  fol- 
lowed close  upon  a  serious  financial  crisis  which  had  been  pre- 
cipitated by  the  suspension  of  Baring  Brothers  in  London, 
and  which  had  been  met  and  arrested  by  the  action  of  New 
York  merchants  and  bankers  in  issuing  clearing-house  certif- 
icates. Furthermore,  there  had  been  passed  at  the  session 
of  Congress,  recently  ended,  the  McKinley  tariff  bill,  reduc- 
ing the  revenues  $50,000,000;  a  new  pension  bill  calling  for 
an  additional  expenditure  of  $50,000,000,  and  the  Sherman 
silver  bm,  authorizing  the  purchase  of  4,500,000  oimces  of 
silver  monthly  for  the  avowed  purpose  of  maintaining  gold 
and  silver  at  a  parity. 

With  all  these  developments  in  mind,  Charles  Stewart 
Smith,  President  of  the  Chamber,  said  in  opening  the  pro- 
gramme of  the  evening:  "No  one  can  speak  even  casually  of 
the  severe  crisis  in  financial  circles  of  the  last  few  days,  which 
I  believe  is  now  happily  passing  away,  without  reference  to 

201 


202         ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

the  heroic  position  taken  by  the  great  banks  and  bankers  of 
London  and  New  York.  They  launched  the  life-boat  in  time 
to  save  a  disastrous  wreck,  and  they  deserve  the  thanks  and 
confidence  of  the  commercial  world. 

"Whatever  may  be  our  individual  judgment  concerning  the 
recent  legislation  by  Congress  regarding  Silver  and  the  Tariff," 
he  added,  "no  thoughtful  man  will  deny,  that,  for  good  or  evil, 
the  last  session  of  Congress  was  the  most  important  and 
eventful  session  that  has  been  held  since  the  close  of  our  civil 
war." 

President  Eliot,  making  his  first  appearance  at  these  ban- 
quets, spoke  on  "Education  in  its  Relations  to  Business 
Affairs,"  declaring  as  the  result  of  no  little  personal  observa- 
tion that  there  was  no  more  striking  general  fact  about  the 
graduates  of  Harvard  during  the  past  fifty  years  than  their 
eminent  success  in  business.  From  one-fifth  to  one-third  of 
the  members  of  the  successive  graduating  classes  ultimately 
went  into  business.  The  same  was  probably  true,  he  said,  of 
many  another  American  college. 

George  William  Curtis  delighted  the  assemblage  with  a 
charming  tribute  to  the  genius  of  Washington  Irving.  "In 
the  commercial  capital  of  the  continent  our  distinctive 
American  literature  began,"  he  said,  "and  the  first  American 
book  which  was  accepted  and  approved  by  the  world  was  the 
work  of  a  young  American  merchant.  To  be  sure  he  failed  as 
a  merchant.  It  was  not  until  1809  that  Mr.  Buckminster, 
the  orator  of  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  at  Harvard,  said  that  the 
genius  of  our  letters  began  to  show  signs  of  greater  vigor,  and 
in  the  same  year  a  young  man,  who  as  a  boy,  to  escape  the 
rigors  of  domestic  religious  discipline,  used  to  drop  out  of  the 
window  of  his  father's  house  in  William  Street  in  the  evening, 
and  steal  off  to  the  play  around  the  comer  in  John  Street, 
published  a  book  called  'Knickerbocker's  History  of  New 
York,'  and  in  the  gay  genius  of  Irving  American  literature 
escaped  the  sermon  and  came  laughing  into  life.    The  winter 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        203 

of  our  long  literary  discontent  was  made  glorious  summer 
by  this  son  of  York.  But  it  was  not  until  ten  years  later, 
when  he  was  an  unsuccessful  merchant,  and  Sidney  Smith 
asked  his  famous  question,  'Who  reads  an  American  book?' 
that  Irving  had  just  answered  it  by  the  first  niunbers  of  the 
Sketch  Book,  and  John  Bull  was  forced  to  own  that  Jonathan 
had  described  traditional  and  charming  aspects  of  his  own 
life  and  character  with  more  delicate  grace  than  any  English- 
man of  the  time." 

Continuing,  Mr.  Curtis,  in  a  passage  well  worthy  of  pres- 
ervation, said:  "What  a  sweet  and  blameless  genius  it  was! 
It  aroused  no  passion,  no  prejudice,  no  hostility.  Irving  was 
popularly  beloved,  like  Sir  Walter  Scott,  and  I  recall  the  amus- 
ing enthusiasm  with  which  a  party  of  Germans  in  Berlin, 
upon  discovering  that  I  was  an  American,  exclaimed,  'Ah,  we 
know  very  well  your  great  General  Washington  Irving ! '  He 
touched  our  historic  river  with  the  glamor  of  the  imagination. 
He  invested  it  with  the  subtle  and  enduring  charm  of  literary 
association.  He  peopled  it  with  figures  that  make  it  dear  to 
the  whole  world,  like  Scott's  Tweed,  or  Bums'  Bonny  Doon. 
The  belated  wanderer,  in  the  twilight  roads  of  Tarrytown,  as 
he  hears  approaching  the  pattering  gallop  behind  him,  knows 
that  it  is  not  his  neighbor,  it  is  the  headless  horseman  of 
Sleepy  Hollow.  It  is  not  thunder  that  we  hear  in  the  Catskills, 
on  a  still  summer  afternoon,  it  is  the  airy  game  of  Hendrik 
Hudson's  crew  that  Rip  Van  Winkle  heard." 

General  Sherman,  called  upon  unexpectedly,  made  his  last 
appearance  as  a  beloved  and  honored  guest,  for  he  died  three 
months  later.  His  speech,  a  model  of  brevity  and  sentiment, 
wiU  never  be  forgotten  by  those  who  heard  it,  and  who  were 
to  realize  later  that  it  was  a  last  farewell.  "I  have  arisen 
solely,"  he  said,  "as  an  obedient  soldier  at  the  command  of 
his  superior  officer,  and  will  only  repeat  that  there  is  no  body 
of  men  on  the  face  of  the  earth  for  whom  I  entertain  a  higher 
estimate  than  the  merchants  who  do  the  work  and  regulate 


204        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

the  commerce  of  the  United  States.  They  are  the  active 
agents  who  bring  into  harmonious  relations  the  people  of  the 
whole  world,  and  who  are  to-day  doing  more  than  any  other 
class  to  bring  about  the  dream  and  aspiration  of  all  good  peo- 
ple, that  'Man  to  man  the  world  o'er,  shall  be  brothers  all. ' " 


CADWALLADER  COLDEN. 
Mnted  by  Matthew  Pntt  in  1773-    Collection  ol  the  Chamber  of  Cbmmerce, 


CHAPTER  XL 

JOHN  HAY  ON  DffLOMACY 
Cleveland's  second  election — lord  herschell  a  guest — 

LETTER  FROM  PRESffiENT  ROOSEVELT 
1892-1902 

The  comprehensive  character  of  these  annual  gatherings  was 
shown  in  the  guests  at  the  banquet  of  November  15,  1892, 
only  a  few  days  after  the  national  election  in  which  Mr. 
Cleveland  was  a  second  time  chosen  President.  He  was  the 
chief  guest  of  honor,  and  among  the  others  were  two  members 
of  President  Harrison's  Cabinet,  Charles  Foster,  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury,  and  W.  H.  H.  Miller,  Attorney-General;  and 
Whitelaw  Reid,  defeated  candidate  for  the  vice-presidency. 
Mr.  Cleveland,  in  a  few  words  thanking  the  Chamber  for 
courtesies  so  often  extended,  said:  "I  beg  to  assure  you  that 
though  I  may  not  soon  meet  you  again  on  an  occasion  like 
this,  I  shall  remember  with  peculiar  pleasure  the  friends  made 
among  your  membership,  and  shall  never  allow  myself  to  be 
heedless  of  the  affairs  you  so  worthily  hold  in  your  keeping," 

A  special  banquet  was  given  by  the  Chamber  on  April  28, 
1893,  to  the  officers  of  the  United  States  and  foreign  war-ships 
that  had  escorted  the  Spanish  caravels  to  the  harbor  of  New 
York  for  exhibition  in  the  Columbus  Centennial  Exposition 
in  Chicago.    Four  hundred  persons  were  present. 

Coming  closely  upon  the  first  defeat  of  the  free-silver  can- 
didate for  the  presidency,  the  banquet  of  November  17,  1896, 
assmned  the  air  of  a  jubilee  in  which  everybody  congratulated 
everybody  else.  Among  the  guests  were  William  L.  Wilson, 
Postmaster- General,  and  John  W.  Griggs,  Cjovemor  of  New 
Jersey  and  later  Attorney-General  of  the  United  States.    In 

20s 


2o6        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

his  speech,  Governor  Griggs  paid  a  cordial  tribute  to  the 
Chamber,  saying:  "I  cannot  let  this  opportunity  pass  with- 
out referring  to  the  great  work  which  this  Chamber  has 
wrought  for  the  State  and  city  whose  name  it  bears,  and  for 
the  country  at  large.  It  is  a  long  interval  since  these  dinners 
were  held  at  Fraunces's  Tavern,  but  during  all  that  period  this 
institution  has  stood  as  the  pilot,  the  guide,  the  director,  the 
pioneer  in  all  wise  policies  of  commerce  and  trade  and  patriot- 
ism. You  have  bestowed  not  only  wisdom  and  enlightenment 
and  courage  on  the  world  of  commerce,  but  millions  of  dol- 
lars upon  the  unfortunate  victims  of  fire  and  flood  and  fever. 
You  have  been  the  promoters  of  good  fortune,  and  the  com- 
forters of  misfortune.  I  wish  that  the  people  of  this  land 
could  understand  how  much  true  and  loyal  patriotism,  how 
much  disinterested  devotion  to  the  highest  interests  of  the 
country,  are  found  among  just  such  men  as  compose  the  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New  York." 

The  Right  Honorable  Lord  Herschell,  formerly  Lord  Chan- 
cellor of  England,  who  was  in  the  United  States  as  president 
of  the  Joint  High  Commission  that  was  negotiating  a  settle- 
ment of  the  Alaska  boundary  question,  was  the  guest  of  honor 
in  1898.  In  his  speech,  which  was  heard  with  pleasure.  Lord 
Herschell  said  that  there  was  to  him  a  peculiar  interest  in  the 
fact  that  he,  who  had  had  the  honor  to  fill  the  office  of  Lord 
Chancellor,  should  be  present  as  the  representative  of  his 
coimtry  engaged  in  negotiations  between  Great  Britain  and 
the  United  States.  A  century  and  a  quarter  ago  or  more,  a 
predecessor  of  his  in  that  high  office  had  made  a  most  unfortu- 
nately foolish  prediction — had  said,  with  reference  to  the 
American  Colonies  of  that  time,  that  if  they  withdraw  their 
allegiance  we  shall  withdraw  our  protection,  and  then  they 
will  soon  be  overrun  by  the  little  States  of  Genoa  and  San 
Marino.  "I  could  not  help  thinking  of  those  words  when  I  re- 
flected that  I  was  here  negotiating  with  the  representatives 
of  a  mighty  nation  of  seventy  millions  of  people  who  have  not 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        207 

been  overrun  by  the  little  Republics  of  Genoa  and  San  Marino, 
although,  undoubtedly,  in  a  sense  very  different  from  that 
which  the  speaker  intended,  you  may  have  been  overrun  by 
the  natives  of  some  of  the  Italian  towns." 

The  shadow  of  President  McKinley's  tragic  death  was  upon 
the  annual  banquet  in  1901,  and  its  distinguishing  feature 
was  an  address  by  John  Hay,  Secretary  of  State.  Secretary 
Hay  began  his  remarks  with  a  touchingly  beautiful  tribute  to 
the  dead  President,  saying  that  when  the  latter  lay  stricken 
at  Buffalo  he  had  asked  him  to  take  his  place  at  the  banquet. 
"This,"  said  the  Secretary,  "I  had  sometimes  done  in  his  life- 
time, though  always  with  difl&dence  and  dread,  but  how  much 
more  am  I  daunted  by  the  duty  of  appearing  before  you  when 
that  great  man,  loved  and  revered  above  all  even  while  living, 
has  put  on  the  august  halo  of  immortality.  Who  could  worth- 
ily come  into  your  presence  as  the  shadow  of  that  illustrious 
Shade?" 

Turning  later  to  the  subject  of  "Our  Diplomacy"  upon 
which  he  had  been  requested  to  speak,  the  Secretary  alluded 
to  those  persons  in  whose  minds  diplomacy  was  considered 
"an  occult  science  as  mysterious  as  alchemy  and  as  danger- 
ous to  the  morals  as  mimicipal  politics,"  and  said:  "There 
was  a  time  when  diplomacy  was  a  science  of  intrigue  and 
falsehood,  or  traps  and  mines  and  countermines.  The  word 
*machiavelic'  has  become  an  adjective  in  our  common  speech, 
signifying  fraudulent  craft  and  guile;  but  Machiavel  was  as 
honest  a  man  as  his  time  justified  or  required.  The  King  of 
Spain  wrote  to  the  King  of  France  after  the  massacre  of  St. 
Bartholomew  congratulating  him  upon  the  splendid  dissimu- 
lation with  which  that  stroke  of  policy  had  been  accomplished. 
In  the  last  generation  it  was  thought  a  remarkable  advance 
and  straightforward  policy  when  Prince  Bismarck  recognized 
the  advantage  of  telling  the  truth  even  at  the  risk  of  mislead- 
ing his  adversary." 

Having  himself  been  a  diplomat,  and  a  most  successful  one 


2o8         ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY   YEARS 

for  many  years,  what  the  Secretary  had  to  say  about  diplo- 
matic representatives  was  especially  interesting:  "There  are 
two  important  lines  of  human  endeavor  in  which  men  are 
forbidden  even  to  allude  to  their  success — affairs  of  the  heart 
and  diplomatic  affairs.  In  doing  so  one  not  only  commits  a 
vulgarity  which  transcends  all  questions  of  taste,  but  makes 
all  future  success  impossible.  For  this  reason  the  diplomatic 
representatives  of  the  government  must  frequently  suffer  in 
silence  the  most  outrageous  imputations  upon  their  patriot- 
ism, their  intelligence,  and  their  common  honesty.  To  justify 
themselves  before  the  public  they  would  sometimes  have  to 
place  in  jeopardy  the  interests  of  the  nation.  They  must 
constantly  adopt  for  themselves  the  motto  of  the  French 
Revolutionist,  'Let  my  name  wither  rather  than  my  country 
be  injured.'" 

Finally,  coming  to  a  definition  of  our  diplomacy,  he  aroused 
great  applause  by  saying:  "The  attitude  of  our  diplomacy 
may  be  indicated  in  a  text  of  Scripture  which  Franklin,  the 
first  and  greatest  of  our  diplomatists,  tells  us  passed  through 
his  mind  when  he  was  presented  at  the  Court  of  Versailles.  It 
was  a  text  his  father  used  to  quote  to  him  in  the  old  candle- 
shop  in  Boston  when  he  was  a  boy:  * Seest  thou  a  man  diligent 
in  his  business,  he  shall  stand  before  kings.'  Let  us  be  diligent 
in  our  business,  and  we  shall  stand — stand,  you  see,  not  crawl 
nor  swagger — stand,  as  a  friend  and  equal,  asking  nothing, 
putting  up  with  nothing  but  what  is  right  and  just  among  our 
peers  in  the  great  democracy  of  nations." 

President  Roosevelt  was  invited  to  attend  the  annual  ban- 
quet in  1902,  but  was  unable  to  accept.  In  a  letter  of  regret 
he  paid  this  tribute  to  the  Chamber  and  its  influence  in  the 
land: 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New  York  occupies 
a  unique  position.  It  is  distinguished  not  only  by  its  long  history 
but  by  the  vast  importance  of  the  business  interests  which  it  repre- 
sents, but  also  for  the  high  type  of  public  and  business  morality 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        209 

which  it  represents.  I  pay  you  no  idle  compliment.  The  record 
of  the  men  you  have  chosen  as  presidents;  the  record  of  the  causes 
with  which  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  has  from  time  to  time  been 
identified;  and  above  all  the  standard  of  business  integrity  which 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce  has  consistently  represented,  and  which 
it  has  demanded  among  those  for  whom  it  has  in  any  way  stood 
sponsor,  shows  the  truth  of  what  I  say.  It  is  surely  unnecessary 
to  add  that  no  body  of  men  can  render  a  greater  service,  not  only 
to  the  American  business  world  but  to  the  American  body  poUtic, 
than  has  thus  been  rendered  by  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


CHAPTER  XLI 
LORD  MORLEY  CHIEF  GUEST  OF  HONOR 

SPEECHES  BY  BISHOP  GREER,  GENERAL  HORACE  PORTER,  AND 
JOSEPH  H.    CHOATE — THE  GUESTS  AT  LATER  BANQUETS 

1904-I915 

Viscount  Morley,  then  plain  John  Morley,  English  states- 
man and  man  of  letters  of  the  first  rank,  was  the  chief  guest 
of  honor  at  the  annual  banquet  in  November,  1904.  Among 
others  were  Bishop  Greer,  Richard  Olney,  and  Mayor  Mc- 
Clellan.  Mr.  Morley  had  been  in  the  United  States  during 
the  closing  days  of  the  presidential  campaign  and  had  been  a 
close  observer  of  proceedings  in  Chicago  on  election  day,  lis- 
tening to  the  returns  as  they  were  received  in  the  evening. 
"I  confess,"  he  said,  "it  greatly  impressed  my  imagination, 
and  stirred  me  to  think  that  in  this  great  country  within  a 
few  hours  the  voice  of  the  people,  right  or  wrong,  should  be  so 
emphatically  and  so  unmistakably  ascertained.  I  was  struck 
with  the  perfectly  good  temper  in  which  the  defeated  party, 
many  of  whose  representatives  were  present  at  that  moment 
in  Chicago,  took,  what  to  them,  I  am  sure,  was  a  mortifying 
repulse." 

Speaking  of  democracy,  which  the  English  call  liberal- 
ism, he  said:  "Of  course  it  has  its  drawbacks,  and  1  should 
think  other  forms  of  government  have  their  drawbacks,  too. 
Does  anybody  dream  that  machine  politics  and  corruption, 
if  you  like — I  do  not  impute  it,  but  taking  the  worst  view 
of  the  case — does  anybody  suppose  that  those  things  came  in 
with  democracy?  For  my  part,  I  think  not,  and  I  am  sure 
many  of  you  know  a  great  deal  too  much  history  to  believe 
any  such  nonsense." 

3IO 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        211 

Referring  to  the  relations  between  the  United  States  and 
Great  Britain,  he  declared  that  he  believed  from  the  bottom  of 
his  heart  that  it  was  vital  to  the  progress  of  the  world,  and  to 
the  civilization  of  mankind,  that  there  should  be  imion  be- 
tween them.  "Thus  united,"  he  continued,  "we  will  fight 
side  by  side  for  those  ideals  and  those  questions  which  are 
common  to  us  and  common  to  you.  You  have  an  enormous 
population  of  all  kinds  and  nationalities  coming  to  this  great 
continent  of  yours,  but,  come  as  they  may,  in  time  they  be- 
come fused  into  American  citizens,  and  I  shall  persist  in  be- 
lieving to  the  end  of  my  days  that  the  ideals  and  the  aims — 
the  moral  ideals  and  moral  aims — of  the  citizens  of  the  United 
States  and  of  those  of  my  country  are  the  same  ideals  and  the 
same  ends." 

Bishop  Greer,  who  had  been  called  upon  to  make  "a  few 
appropriate  remarks,"  complied  in  a  brief  speech  in  which  he 
related  an  anecdote  of  Bishop  Clarke,  of  Rhode  Island,  who 
was  known  all  over  the  land  in  his  time  as  an  incorrigible  joker 
and  joyous  companion.  Bishop  Greer  said  he  had  been  mak- 
ing a  few  appropriate  remarks  for  several  months  since  he 
had  been  elected  a  bishop  and  had  found  it  a  dangerous  as 
well  as  a  difficult  business  since  the  remarks  were  apt  to  come 
back  again  with  some  public  comment  or  criticism.  "I 
remember,"  he  said,  "that  the  venerable  Bishop  of  Rhode 
Island,  Dr.  Clarke,  told  me  that  he  was  called  upon  to 
preach  a  sermon  before  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Artillery 
of  Mr.  Ohiey's  State,  and  he  was  at  a  loss  for  an  appropriate 
text,  but  he  foimd  one  somewhere — a  fragment  of  a  verse  in 
the  Old  Testament,  which  said,  'The  ancient  and  honorable, 
he  is  the  head,'  and  the  next  morning  a  Massachusetts  paper, 
with  characteristic  omniscience,  in  reporting  the  sermon, 
quoted  the  rest  of  the  verse,  'And  the  prophet  that  speaketh 
lies,  he  is  the  tail.'" 

There  was  a  large  number  of  distinguished  guests  at  the  an- 
nual banquet  of  1905,  including  Joseph  H.  Choate,  Ambassador 


212         ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

to  London,  and  General  Horace  Porter,  Ambassador  to  France, 
both  recently  retired  from  their  posts.  General  Porter's 
speech  was,  as  usual,  partly  in  a  humorous  vein.  He  began 
it  by  saying  that  his  first  duty  in  arriving  in  France  was  "  to 
try  and  soften  down  the  conditions  of  the  inspection  of  Ameri- 
can pork  and  the  interpretation  of  the  copyright  law.  I  think 
probably  I  did  render  some  little  service  to  those  two  important 
products  of  the  pen."  Speaking  of  his  experiences,  he  made 
this  interesting  contribution  to  history:  "Among  many  agree- 
able things  that  occurred  in  the  pleasant  land  of  France,  one 
thing  touched  me  deeply.  There  was  a  profoimd  sentiment  in 
it.  When  our  Commissioners  came  to  Paris,  and  by  their 
treaty  ended  the  war  with  Spain,  they  signed  that  Treaty  of 
Peace  of  Paris  upon  that  same  table  upon  which  Benjamin 
Franklin  and  his  colleagues  at  the  close  of  the  Revolution 
signed  the  first  Treaty  of  Paris,  also  a  treaty  of  peace,  so  that 
our  two  memorable  diplomatic  transactions  abroad  occurred 
in  Paris,  and  each  bore  upon  it  the  sign  manual  of  peace." 

Mr.  Choate  spoke  in  his  customary  graceful  and  happy 
vein  and  in  closing  his  speech  said  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce that  it  should  be  called  "  Chamber  of  Peace,  Chamber  of 
Conciliation — not  only  between  this  nation  and  the  nation 
from  which  we  sprang,  but  with  all  the  nations  of  the  world." 
That,  he  added,  had  been  its  mission,  "gloriously  fulfilled" 
for  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven  years — four  generations  of 
men.  "For  all  time  it  has  done  what  in  it  lay  to  promote  the 
commerce,  and  necessarily  with  the  commerce  to  promote 
and  advance  the  peace  of  the  world.  Peace  is  inseparable 
from  commerce,  and  commerce  fails  the  moment  that  peace 
fails.  I  know  not  how  you  regard  the  career  of  this  Chamber, 
but  it  does  seem  to  me  that  it  is  one  of  those  bodies  that  reflect 
ever  new  and  growing  credit  upon  the  city  and  the  country, 
of  which  it  is  a  noble  representative." 

Continuing,  he  made  a  prediction  which  the  present  writer 
of  the  Chamber's  century  and  a  half  of  history  has  found  to 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        213 

be  true  to  the  letter  by  careful  examination  of  its  records: 
"I  think  it  would  bear  investigation  by  any  Legislature,  by 
any  committee,  by  any  examining  counsel  imder  calcium  light, 
who  might  probe  to  the  bottom  the  facts  of  its  history  from 
its  beginning  until  now,  and  not  one  flaw  in  its  record  be  dis- 
covered. I  hope  that  the  history  of  this  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, for  this  last  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven  years,  will 
some  time  be  fuUy  written.  There  will  not  be  found  a  single 
blemish  upon  it.  There  will  be  nothing  but  devotion  to  the 
prosperity  and  the  welfare  of  the  City,  the  State,  and  the 
Nation." 

Between  1906  and  the  outbreak  of  the  European  War  in 
1914,  each  annual  banquet  had  among  its  distinguished  guests 
one  or  more  of  the  diplomatic  representatives  of  foreign  govern- 
ments. In  1906  Sir  Mortimer  Durand,  the  British  Ambassa- 
dor, and  the  German  Ambassador  were  present;  in  1907, 
J.  J.  Jusserand,  the  French  Ambassador,  and  Baron  Rosen, 
the  Russian  Ambassador;  in  1908,  James  Bryce,  the  British 
Ambassador,  and  Lord  Northcliffe;  in  1909,  Mr.  Bryce,  and 
the  German  Ambassador,  who  a  few  years  later  was  given  his 
passport  by  President  Wilson.  Among  other  guests  during 
this  period  were  Senator  Lodge,  Senator  Root,  Thomas  A. 
Edison,  Nicholas  Murray  Butler,  President  of  Columbia  Uni- 
versity; Governor  Dix,  Mayor  Gaynor,  Mr.  Carnegie,  and 
James  M.  Beck. 

For  the  first  time  since  1873,  the  annual  banquet  was  omitted 
in  1914  on  account  of  the  outbreak  of  the  European  War,  and 
it  was  suggested  that  the  members  send  the  usual  charge  of 
$20  for  a  ticket  to  the  Red  Cross  which  resulted  in  a  contribu- 
tion of  $3,615  to  that  organization.  The  dinner  was  given  as 
usual  in  191 5,  and  among  the  guests  of  honor  were  Secretary 
Redfield  of  President  Wilson's  Cabinet;  Bishop  Greer,  and 
President  Butler  of  Columbia  University.  The  President  of 
the  Chamber,  Seth  Low,  presided  and  in  explanation  of  the 
resimiption  of  the  dinner  custom  said:  "We  have  come  to  see 


214        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

that  it  is  in  the  interest  of  all  men  that  the  normal  life  of  the 
world  should  be  maintained,  wherever  possible,  outside  of 
the  war  zone."  In  his  address,  Mr.  Low  related  an  anecdote 
of  Lincoln  which  is  of  historic  value.  He  gave  it  on  the  per- 
sonal authority  of  General  Scofield,  whom  it  concerned.  In 
the  early  days  of  the  Civil  War  General  Fremont,  who  com- 
manded the  Department  of  Missouri,  undertook  to  emancipate 
the  slaves  within  that  department.  It  was  necessary  for 
President  Lincoln  to  remind  him  that  action  of  that  character 
belonged  to  the  civil  power.  As  a  result,  Fremont  sent  in 
his  resignation.  Lincoln  then  sent  for  General  Scofield,  and 
said  to  him  in  substance  this:  "General  Scofield,  I  am  about 
to  send  you  to  the  hardest  post  in  the  country,  because  there 
public  opinion  is  sharply  divided.  If  one  side  praises  you 
and  the  other  side  blames  you,  I  do  not  know  on  which  side 
I  shall  be  found.  That  will  depend  upon  circimistances. 
But  if  both  sides  praise  you,  or  if  both  sides  blame  you,  you 
may  count  on  me  to  my  dying  day." 

Two  members  of  President  Wilson's  Cabinet,  Secretary 
Lane,  of  the  Interior  Department,  and  Mr.  Gregory,  the  At- 
torney-General, were  present  at  the  annual  banquet  of  19 16, 
but  neither  of  them  made  a  speech.  Other  guests  were  Mayor 
Mitchel,  EUhu  Root,  General  Leonard  Wood,  and  Thomas 
A.  Edison. 


55    CQ 


S  E 
•g  E 


u    O 

-•Si 

is   2 


CHAPTER  XLII 
FORMAL  RECEPTIONS 

FOREIGN  VISITORS  OF  MANY  NATIONALITIES  THUS  HONORED — 
ALSO  EMINENT  AMERICANS 

1893-1918 

From  time  to  time  during  more  recent  years  the  Chamber 
has  given  formal  receptions  to  distinguished  visitors  from 
other  lands  and  also  to  eminent  Americans  who  have  per- 
formed public  service  of  high  value  either  at  home  or  abroad. 
In  1893,  during  the  celebration  of  the  centennial  of  the  dis- 
covery of  America  by  Columbus,  it  subscribed  twenty-seven 
thousand  dollars  for  a  grand  reception  at  the  Waldorf  to  the 
Duke  of  Veragua  and  other  descendants  of  Columbus,  for 
which  five  thousand  invitations  were  issued.  Receptions  have 
been  held  in  the  Great  HaU  of  the  building  since  its  com- 
pletion and  have  been  attended  by  notable  gatherings  of  lead- 
ing citizens.  Representatives  of  many  foreign  countries  have 
been  thus  honored.  Among  them  were  Prince  Louis  of  Batten- 
berg,  rear-admiral  commanding  His  Majesty's  second  cruiser 
squadron  and  the  officers  of  the  fleet  when  it  was  in  the  har- 
bor in  March,  1905;  the  admirals  and  officers  of  the  foreign 
fleets  attending  the  Hudson-Fulton  celebration  in  1909,  and 
the  Japanese  Commissioners  to  the  Alaska- Yukon  Exposition 
in  the  same  year;  the  French  delegates  who  brought  from 
France,  in  191 2,  the  bas-relief  by  Rodin  to  be  placed  on  the 
Champlain  monimient,  when  addresses  were  made  by  the 
French  Ambassador,  M.  Jusserand,  Gabriel  Hanotaux,  and 
Comte  de  Chambrun;  the  Imperial  Japanese  diplomatic 
War  Mission  to  this  country  in  October,  191 7,  and  the  Special 
Finance  Commission  from  the  same  coimtry  in  November 

21S 


2i6        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

following;   and  the  Chinese  Military  and  Naval  Mission  on 
January  3,  1918. 

When  Mr.  Choate  and  General  Horace  Porter  returned 
from  their  respective  ambassadorships  in  London  and  France, 
in  1905,  a  joint  reception,  followed  by  a  luncheon,  was  given 
them  on  October  17,  which  was  attended  by  a  large  and  dis- 
tinguished assemblage.  Mr.  Choate  made  one  of  his  happiest 
speeches,  describing  his  experiences  abroad,  in  which  he  said 
that  he  had  enjoyed  imunensely  every  day  of  his  residence 
there. 

A  reception  followed  by  a  luncheon  was  given  also  to  Elihu 
Root  and  the  members  of  the  commission  that  President 
Wilson  sent  to  Russia,  on  their  return  from  that  country  in 
August,  191 7,  and  Uke  honor  was  paid  to  James  W.  Gerard, 
former  Ambassador  to  Germany,  in  March  of  the  same  year. 

In  October,  191 5,  the  Anglo-French  Finance  Commission 
that  came  to  the  United  States  to  negotiate  the  first  war  loan 
to  the  Allies,  accepted  an  invitation  to  attend  a  session  in  the 
Chamber.  The  Earl  of  Reading,  G.C.B.,  Lord  Chief  Justice  of 
England,  representing  the  English  members  of  the  commission, 
and  M.  Octave  Homberg,  representing  the  French  members, 
made  brief  speeches  expressing  thanks  for  the  privilege  of 
being  present  and  for  the  support  given  by  the  Chamber  to 
their  mission. 

One  of  the  most  notable  of  the  receptions  was  that  given 
to  the  British  War  Commission  on  May  12,  1917.  There 
were  twenty-three  members  of  the  commission,  with  the 
Right  Honorable  Arthur  James  Balfour  at  its  head.  A  large 
number  of  distinguished  guests,  including  Sir  Cecil  Spring- 
Rice,  the  British  Ambassador  to  the  United  States,  were 
invited  to  meet  them.  E.  H.  Outerbridge,  President  of 
the  Chamber,  welcomed  the  commission,  saying  that  the 
gathering  was  in  celebration  of  the  fact  that  "we  have  struck 
hands  to  fight,  with  them,  in  the  greatest  war  that  the  world 
has  ever  known,"  adding:  "I  venture  to  think  that  the  his- 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        217 

torians  of  the  future  will  record,  and  the  generations  to  come 
will  agree,  that  the  event  we  celebrate  to-day,  the  joining 
together  of  these  two  great  nations  in  this  war,  will  have  been 
fraught  with  vaster  consequences  and  will  have  resulted  in 
greater  benefits  to  mankind  than  all  the  achievements  of  the 
hundred  years  of  peace." 

Mr.  Balfour's  speech  on  this  occasion  was  accounted  the 
most  eloquent  and  impressive  of  the  many  he  made  during 
his  stay  in  the  country.    A  few  extracts  are  appended: 

Mr.  President,  I  have  had  as  the  dream  of  my  life  a  hope  that 
before  I  died  the  union  between  the  English-speaking,  freedom- 
loving  branches  of  the  human  race  should  be  drawn  far  closer  than 
in  the  past  and  that  all  temporary  causes  of  difference  which  may 
ever  have  separated  two  great  peoples  would  be  seen  in  their  true 
and  just  proportions;  and  that  we  should  all  realize,  on  whatever 
side  of  the  Atlantic  fortune  has  placed  us,  that  the  things  wherein 
we  have  differed  in  the  past  sink  into  absolute  insignificance  com- 
pared with  those  vital  agreements  which  at  all  times,  but  never 
at  such  a  time  as  the  present,  rniite  us  in  one  great  spiritual  whole. 

You  incidentally  mentioned,  Mr.  President,  that  this  very  body 
which  I  am  addressing  date  the  origin  of  their  Society  to  the  year, 
I  think  you  said,  1768.  Is  not  that  characteristic  and  symbolic 
of  what  happens  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic?  We  strike  our 
roots  into  a  distant  past.  We  have  known  how,  through  revolu- 
tions, in  spite  of  revolutions,  sometimes  because  of  revolutions,  to 
weld  the  past  and  the  present  into  one  organic  whole;  and  here, 
in  a  country  which  calls  itself  and  is,  in  one  sense,  a  new  coimtry 
— I  everywhere  see  signs  of  those  roots  which  draw  their  nourish- 
ment and  their  strength  from  epochs  far  removed  from  us,  and 
when  I  talk  to  those  who  are  bom  and  bred  under  the  American 
flag,  who  have  absorbed  all  their  political  ideas  from  American  in- 
stitutions— I  feel,  that  I  am  speaking  to  those  brought  up,  as  it 
were,  under  one  influence,  in  one  house,  imder  one  set  of  educa- 
tional conditions. 

I  believe  that  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic,  and  I  hope  on  the  other 
side  of  the  Atlantic,  when  these  great  problems  have  actively  to  be 
dealt  with,  it  will  not  be  beyond  the  reach  of  your  statesmanship 
or  of  our  own,  to  deal  with  them  in  such  a  manner  that  we  cannot 


2i8         ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

merely  look  back  upon  this  great  war  as  the  beginning  of  a  time  of 
improved  international  relations,  of  settled  peace,  of  deUberate 
refusal  to  pour  out  oceans  of  blood  to  satisfy  some  notion  of  domina- 
tion; but  that  in  addition  to  those  blessings  the  war  and  what 
happens  after  the  war  may  prove  to  be  the  beginning  of  a  revivified 
civilization  which  will  be  felt  in  all  departments  of  human  activity, 
which  will  not  merely  touch  the  material  but  also  the  spiritual  side 
of  hiunan  nature,  and  which  will  make  the  second  decade  of  the 
twentieth  century  memorable  in  the  history  of  mankind. 

At  a  luncheon  which  was  served  later  in  the  library  of  the 
Chamber's  building,  Mr.  Balfour  made  a  further  brief  speech 
in  which  he  said:  "I  shall  tell  them  (in  England)  that  this 
great  Republic  is  not  only  warmly,  but  passionately,  engaged 
on  the  side  of  the  Allies.  From  the  very  beginning  of  this 
great  struggle,  there  has  been  the  profoundest  sympathy  for 
us  from  every  one  in  this  country  who  had  the  imagination  to 
grasp  what  was  going  on.  Since  August  i,  1914,  the  fight 
has  been  for  the  highest  spiritual  advantages  of  mankind,  and 
without  a  petty  thought  or  ambition." 

Mr.  Choate,  following  Mr.  Balfour,  in  a  few  words  of  warm 
appreciation  of  the  courtesies  extended  to  the  British  Com- 
mission, said  that  once  while  he  was  in  London  and  calling  on 
Lord  Salisbury  he  looked  through  a  window  in  the  park  and 
exclaimed:  "What  a  shame!"  Lord  Salisbury  sprang  to  his 
feet  and  asked  what  he  was  referring  to,  and  Mr.  Choate  re- 
plied: "Look  at  those  tramps  lying  on  the  grass  in  that 
beautiful  park,  which  should  be  devoted  to  little  children 
and  their  nurses  and  to  ladies  and  others  who  would  more 
properly  fit  the  surroundings."  "Well,"  said  Lord  Salis- 
bury, "the  men  are  tired.  What  would  you  have  them  do?" 
"Why,"  said  Mr.  Choate,  "in  New  York  we  would  not  stand 
that  for  a  moment."  "What  would  you  do  in  New  York?" 
inquired  Lord  Salisbury.  Mr.  Choate  said:  "A  policeman 
would  order  them  to  move  on,  and  if  they  did  not  do  so  they 
would  be  locked  up."    Lord  Salisbury  then  remarked:   "In 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        219 

America  you  evidently  do  not  know  what  real  personal 
liberty  is." 

This  was  the  last  speech  that  Mr.  Choate  ever  made,  for 
he  died  on  May  12,  191 7,  two  days  later. 

An  informal  luncheon  was  tendered  on  November  12,  19 17, 
by  the  President  of  the  Chamber  and  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee, to  Sir  Stephenson  Kent  and  other  members  of  the 
Special  Commission  of  the  British  Ministry  of  Mimitions, 
then  on  a  visit  to  the  United  States  in  the  interest  of  increased 
industrial  efl&ciency  in  the  production  of  war  supplies.  Brief 
speeches  were  made  by  President  Outerbridge  and  several 
members  of  the  Commission. 

An  occasion  which  will  always  be  held  memorable  by  the 
members  of  the  Chamber  was  the  reception  given,  on  March 
7,  1 9 18,  to  the  Most  Reverend  Cosmo  Gk)rdon  Lang,  Lord 
Archbishop  of  York,  Primate  of  England.  The  Archbishop 
had  arrived  recently  in  the  country  for  a  visit  of  seven  weeks 
in  response  to  the  invitation  of  the  War  Council  of  the  Protes- 
tant Episcopal  Church  of  the  United  States.  The  object  of 
his  visit,  as  stated  by  himself,  was  to  emphasize  the  impor- 
tance which  the  help  of  America  had  been  to  the  Allied 
Cause,  and  to  appeal  to  Americans  to  strengthen  and  keep 
strong  their  great  contribution.  He  made  a  tour  of  the 
principal  cities,  preaching  in  chiu'ches  and  addressing  audi- 
ences of  various  kinds.  He  appeared  before  the  Chamber 
at  its  regular  monthly  meeting,  when  the  Great  Hall  was 
filled  to  overflowing  with  members  and  invited  guests.  The 
President,  E.  H.  Outerbridge,  greeted  him  in  a  brief  address 
in  which  he  assured  him  that  there  had  not  been  a  time  since 
August  4,  19 14,  in  which  the  great  masses  of  the  people  of 
the  United  States  had  not  admired  and  believed  in  the  jus- 
tice and  chivalry  of  England's  cause.  "Now  that  we  see 
clearly  shining,"  he  continued,  "the  pure  ideals  and  princi- 
ples upon  which  our  fathers  founded  this  nation,  and  which 
we  are  bound  to  hand  down  to  posterity  unimpaired;  now 


220         ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

that  we  have  joined  hands  with  England  to  fight  for  the  sal- 
vation of  the  world,  we  shall  not  let  go  until  we  have  achieved 
the  victory  or  imtil  death  do  us  part." 

In  concluding,  Mr.  Outerbridge,  in  the  name  of  the  Cham- 
ber, welcomed  the  Archbishop,  first,  for  what  he  had  been 
and  what  he  had  done  "in  leading  men  onward  and  upward 
in  their  paths  through  life";  second,  as  "a  most  distinguished 
representative  of  that  nation  with  which  we  are  now  allied"; 
and,  third,  because  "we  feel  that  your  presence  here  at  this 
time  is  a  benediction  upon  what  we  have  done  in  the  past 
and  an  inspiration  and  strengthening  of  our  hope  and  courage 
for  what  we  have  to  face  in  the  future." 

The  address  of  the  Archbishop,  distinguished  by  deep  feel- 
ing, intense  earnestness,  and  great  charm  of  delivery,  fairly 
held  his  audience  spellbound.  He  spoke  of  the  persons  pres- 
ent as  "those  who  are  here  controlling  the  power-house  of 
this  great  nation,"  and  said  that,  considering  all  the  circum- 
stances, he  must  needs  regard  the  occasion  as  one  of  the 
greatest  honors  of  his  life.  "I  doubt  very  much,"  he  added, 
"whether  there  is  any  Chamber  of  Commerce  in  the  world 
which  would  have  expected  its  President  to  speak  as  yours 
has  done,  and  which  would  have  shown  its  capacity  to  rise 
to  the  vision  and  the  ideals  which  he  put  before  you.  I 
have  always  said  across  the  ocean,  and  have  abundant  rea- 
son to  repeat  it  here,  that  what  seems  to  me  the  great  strength 
of  this  people  and  the  great  strength  that  it  is  bringing  into 
our  common  cause,  is  its  singular  combination  of  high  ideal- 
ism with  a  resolute  and  determined  practical  energy.  And 
I  think  what  has  moved  me  to-day  almost  more  than  any- 
thing else  is  that  I  should  feel  in  the  midst  of  a  number  of 
men  daily  concerned  with  the  most  practical  necessities  and 
operations  of  business,  this  radiating  and  instantaneous  re- 
sponse to  the  appeal  of  a  high  ideal." 

After  speaking  of  what  the  war  was  costing  England  in  life 
and  treasure,  the  work  that  England  was  doing  in  manufac- 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS         221 

turing  munitions  and  material  with  which  to  carry  on  the 
war,  and  the  enormous  advances  England  had  made  to  its 
allies,  he  said,  in  regard  to  the  aid  that  the  United  States 
might  give:  "You  will,  I  know,  do  your  utmost;  because  I 
realize  the  force  of  public  opinion  in  America,  upon  the  ad- 
ministration in  America,  which  such  a  body  as  this  repre- 
sents. You  will  do  your  best  to  see  that  nothing  blocks  the 
way  of  the  real  desire  of  the  American  people  to  get  this  thing 
done  and  this  help  rendered." 

In  closing,  the  Archbishop  profoundly  moved  the  assem- 
blage by  saying:  "I  know  the  tasks  before  us  will  be  great 
and  the  strain  will  be  heavy,  and,  therefore,  with  a  full  heart, 
I  will  avail  myself  of  a  word  that  left  the  lips  of  your  Presi- 
dent at  the  close  of  his  moving  speech;  and  as  one  who  holds 
an  office  in  the  service  of  Cjod  older  than  the  crown  of  our 
United  England,  I  would  ask  the  privilege  as  I  speak  to  you, 
by  invoking  upon  you,  Mr.  President  and  gentlemen,  in  the 
work  of  this  Chamber  and  in  the  struggles  of  these  coming 
years,  the  blessing  and  guidance  of  Him  upon  whose  will 
the  achievement  of  our  victory  must  depend." 


CHAPTER  XLIII 
BROAD  SCOPE  OF  LATER  WORK 

REVIVAL  OF  AMERICAN  SHIPPING — ^RAPID  TRANSIT — STATE 
POLICE — ^NEW  WATER-SUPPLY 

I9OO-1918 

The  range  of  the  Chamber's  activities  during  more  recent 
years  has  broadened  steadily  and  has  included  every  question 
of  importance  in  city,  state,  and  national  affairs.  It  is  im- 
possible within  the  limits  of  this  volume  to  take  up  in  detail 
the  proceedings  of  the  Chamber  in  regard  to  all  of  these.  A 
few  of  the  more  notable  instances  may  be  cited  as  worthy  of 
special  mention. 

Always  interested  in  the  revival  of  American  shipping,  the 
Chamber  has  supported  every  effort  in  that  direction.  It 
gave  special  attention  between  1880  and  1900  to  the  question 
of  ship  subsidies,  advocating  the  passage  of  various  measures 
of  the  kind  which  were  proposed  in  Congress.  After  war 
was  declared  by  Germany  in  August,  1914,  the  Chamber  took 
up  the  question  of  the  restoration  of  the  American  Merchant 
Marine  in  foreign  trade  and  appointed  a  special  committee 
of  five  members  to  consider  and  report.  This  committee  made 
a  report  at  the  Chamber's  regular  meeting  on  January  7, 19 15, 
in  which  they  disapproved  the  ship  purchase  bill  which  was 
pending  in  Congress  and  submitted  a  constructive  plan  of 
their  own.  The  report  was  adopted,  after  a  full  discussion  in 
several  successive  meetings,  and  the  suggested  substitute  plan 
was  approved,  but  the  matter  was  not  pressed  further  because 
of  the  creation  of  the  Federal  Shipping  Board. 

After  the  control  of  rapid-transit  problems  was  transferred 
to  the  Public  Service  Commission,  the  Chamber  continued 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        223 

to  take  interest  in  them  and  to  give  expression  to  its  views 
when  occasion  arose  for  it  to  do  so.  When  Mr.  Gaynor  was 
Mayor  of  the  city  he  asked  the  Chamber  for  a  formal  expres- 
sion of  its  opinions  and  suggestions,  and  the  result  was  an 
elaborate  report  from  the  Chamber's  special  committee  on 
the  subject  which  was  an  exhaustive  discussion  of  all  aspects 
of  the  problem,  containing  suggestions  of  great  value,  many 
of  which  were  subsequently  adopted. 

Special  reports,  of  which  many  were  published  in  pamphlet 
form,  were  made  on  such  subjects  of  pressing  interest  as 
Forest  Preservation;  Municipal  and  State  Taxation;  Inter- 
national Peace  and  Arbitration;  a  Permanent  Tariff  Com- 
mission; National  Guard  and  Naval  Militia;  Workmen's  Com- 
pensation; Conservation  of  Water  and  Lands;  Diplomatic 
and  Consular  Efficiency;  State  Roads;  Railroad  Labor  Arbi- 
tration; Licome  Tax  Collection  Methods;  Improved  Postal 
Facilities;  Barge  Canal  Construction;  Height  of  Buildings; 
State  Constabulary;  Social  Insurance;  Waterfront  and  Har- 
bor Improvements,  and  general  city  and  state  legislation. 

Concerning  many  of  these  topics,  successive  sessions  of  the 
Chamber  were  given  up  largely  to  discussions  in  which  ex- 
pert authorities,  present  by  invitation,  took  part.  This  was 
the  case  in  regard  to  State-road  improvement  and  canal  en- 
largement. National  Guard  and  Naval  Militia,  and  taxation  in 
various  forms.  When  the  Federal  Reserve  bank  measure  was 
first  introduced  in  Congress,  the  Chamber  came  early  to  its 
support.  At  a  special  meeting  on  October  20, 1913,  the  Com- 
mittee on  Finance  and  Currency  made  an  elaborate  report 
containing  a  careful  study  of  the  bill,  and  recommended  the 
following  resolution,  which  was  imanimously  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  if  the  pending  measure  be  amended  so  as  to  con- 
form in  fundamental  principles  and  administration  to  the  approved 
practices  of  world  banking  in  security  and  flexibility,  we  urge 
upon  the  management  of  National  Banks  a  broad  and  unselfish 
view  and  a  hearty  co-operation,  believing  that  any  temporary  in- 


224        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

convenience  arising  from  changed  methods  will  be  far  more  than 
compensated  by  advantages  which  will  flow  from  a  soimd  banking 
and  currency  system  that  will  benefit  the  commerce  of  the  whole 
comitry. 

Copies  of  the  report,  with  the  Chamber's  approval,  were 
sent  to  the  President  and  members  of  both  houses  of  Con- 
gress. The  Chamber's  action  was  warmly  commended  by  the 
press  as  the  important  action  of  the  "greatest  commercial 
body  in  the  country,"  and  hence  calculated  to  have  powerful 
influence  at  Washington. 

Full  discussion  was  given  also  to  the  various  antitrust 
measures  proposed,  and  action  was  taken  in  favor  of  enlarging 
the  membership  of  the  Interstate  Commerce  Commission. 
When  Philippine  independence  was  proposed  in  1916  the 
Chamber  adopted  a  report  by  its  Committee  on  Foreign  Com- 
merce and  Revenue  Laws,  together  with  this  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New 
York  deprecates  any  legislation  which  may  tend  to  check  the 
progress  or  unsettle  the  conditions  under  which  the  Philippine 
people  have  been  advancing  during  the  past  seventeen  years  of 
American  sovereignty;  and,  that  it  is  the  sense  of  this  Chamber 
that  our  national  obligations  to  this  people  require  us  to  continue 
in  the  original  relation  of  responsible  trusteeship  until  they  have 
attained  a  much  larger  measure  of  experience  in  self-government 
than  has  yet  been  achieved  on  their  part. 

Early  in  1914  the  Chamber  took  a  strong  position  in  favor 
of  a  State  constabulary  or  police  force,  adopting  a  resolution 
in  favor  of  its  creation  by  the  Legislature  on  the  ground  that 
it  "would  not  only  to  a  great  extent  relieve  the  National  Guard 
and  Naval  Militia  from  guarding  property  in  case  of  strikes 
and  other  labor  troubles,  but  would  also  more  effectively 
protect  the  public,  particularly  in  the  rural  districts."  The 
Chamber  continued  its  advocacy  of  the  question  steadily  for 
several  years,  laying  special  stress  upon  it  after  the  country 
had  become  involved  in  the  European  War.    Through  the 


WALL  STREET  AT  THE  CLOSE  OF  THE  NINETEENTH  CENTURY. 

From  ail  original  water-color  by  llarr)'  Feiin,  reproduced  by  courtesy  of  Mr.  John  I.  Waterbury. 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS        225 

eflforts  of  the  President  of  the  Chamber,  Governor  Whitman 
was  persuaded  to  give  his  support  to  a  measure  which  was 
pending  in  the  Legislature  establishing  such  a  force,  and 
representatives  of  the  Chamber  were  sent  to  Albany  to 
attend  hearings  upon  it.  When  General  Leonard  Wood 
addressed  the  Chamber  on  the  subject  of  national  military 
preparedness,  in  April,  1916,  he  stated  emphatically  that  a 
State  police  would  aid  the  work  of  military  preparedness, 
saying  that  it  would  relieve  the  militia  from  strike  and  riot 
duty,  would  give  a  small  and  highly  trained  and  very  eflEicient 
force  capable  of  meeting  all  the  ordinary  demands  of  the 
State,  and  would  tend  to  economy  and  eflSciency.  A  resolu- 
tion was  adopted  by  the  Chamber  in  March,  191 7,  asking  all 
the  members  to  write  to  their  representatives  in  the  Senate 
and  Assembly,  urging  them  to  support  the  bill,  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing month  it  became  a  law. 

A  work  of  great  importance  to  the  city  and  the  State  was 
the  construction  of  the  Catskill  Water  Supply  System.  In 
the  inception  of  this  work,  as  well  as  in  its  execution,  the 
Chamber  bore  a  conspicuous  part.  Mayor  McClellan  recog- 
nized the  value  of  its  services  by  asking  it  to  submit  a  list 
of  names  from  which  he  could  appoint  one  of  the  three  commis- 
sioners that  were  authorized  under  the  bill,  which  he  pre- 
sented to  the  Legislature  in  1905,  providing  for  the  construc- 
tion of  the  system.  He  made  a  similar  request  of  two  other 
organizations — the  Manufacturers'  Association  of  Brookl)ai, 
and  the  Board  of  Fire  Underwriters  of  New  York.  In  the 
bill  as  presented  such  appointment  was  directed,  but  the 
Legislature  struck  out  the  provision  as  unconstitutional.  To 
the  lasting  credit  of  Mayor  McClellan,  it  is  to  be  recorded 
that  he  carried  out  the  purpose  to  the  letter,  thereby  placing 
this  enormous  task,  involving  the  expenditure  of  millions  of 
the  public  money,  in  the  hands  of  men  who  had  the  ability 
and  character  necessary  to  execute  it  in  the  best  possible 
manner,  free  from  the  taint  of  jobbery  and  graft  in  any 


226        ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS 

form.  The  Mayor  selected  from  the  list  submitted  by  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  J.  Edwards  Simmons;  from  that  by 
the  Manufacturers'  Association,  Charles  N.  Chadwick,  also 
a  member  of  the  Chamber;  and  by  the  Fire  Underwriters, 
Charles  A.  Shaw.  Mr.  Simmons  was  elected  president  of 
the  commission  and  resigned  in  January,  1908,  when  John  A. 
Bensel,  a  member  of  the  Chamber,  was  appointed  by  Mayor 
McClellan  in  his  place  and  was  elected  president  of  the  com- 
mission. Mr.  Bensel  resigned  at  the  close  of  19 10  and  Mr. 
Shaw  resigned  in  January,  191 1.  Their  places  were  filled  by 
Charles  Strauss  and  John  F.  Galvin.  Mr.  Chadwick  by  his 
untiring  devotion  to  the  work  justly  earned  the  title  of 
"Father"  of  the  great  enterprise,  which,  to  quote  the  verdict 
of  the  Chamber,  "was  brought  to  a  successful  conclusion  by 
the  foresight,  vision,  administrative  ability  and  engineering 
skill  of  those  who  first  conceived  it." 


The  Chronicle  closes  with  the  nation  fighting  side  by  side 
with  its  European  allies  in  the  most  stupendous  struggle  for 
human  freedom  that  the  world  has  ever  known.  In  this 
crisis,  the  Chamber,  true  to  its  traditions,  places  patriotism 
above  all  other  considerations  and  makes  whole-hearted  sup- 
port of  the  National  Government  its  first  duty,  subordinating 
all  others  to  it.  It  thus  follows  in  the  footsteps  of  the  founders 
and  proves  itself  steadfast  in  the  faith  which  was  their  in- 
spiration a  century  and  a  half  ago. 


APPENDIX 


FOUNDING  OF  THE  CHAMBER 

Whereas,  mercantile  societies  have  been  found  very  useful  in 
trading  cities  for  promoting  and  encouraging  commerce,  support- 
ing industry,  adjusting  disputes  relative  to  trade  and  navigation, 
and  procuring  such  laws  and  regtdations  as  may  be  foimd  necessary 
for  the  benefit  of  trade  in  general; 

For  which  purpose,  and  to  establish  such  a  society  in  the  city 
of  New  York,  the  following  persons  convened  on  the  first  Tuesday 
in,  and  being  the  5th  day  of,  April,  1768: 

John  Cruger,  Thomas  White, 

Elias  Desbrosses,  Miles  Sherbrooke, 

James  Jaimcey,  Walter  Franklin, 

Jacob  Walton,  Robert  Ross  Waddle, 

Robert  Murray,  Acheson  Thompson, 

Hugh  Wallace,  Lawrence  Kortright, 

George  FoUiot,  Thomas  Randal, 

WiUiam  Walton,  William  McAdam, 

Samuel  Verplanck,  Isaac  Low, 

Theophylact  Bache,  Anthony  Van  Dam. 

Who  agreed  that  the  said  Society  of  Merchants  should  consist  of 

A  President, 
Vice-President, 
Treasurer, 
Secretary, 

and  such  a  number  of  merchants  as  already,  or  hereafter  may  be- 
come members  thereof,  to  be  called  and  known  by  the  name  of 

The  New  York  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

The  Members  present  unanimously  chose  the  following  Gentle- 
men their  oflBlcers  for  this  year,  to  commence  the  first  Tuesday  in 
May  next: 

329 


230  APPENDIX 

John  Cniger,  President, 
Hugh  Wallace,  Vice-President, 
Elias  Desbrosses,  Treasurer, 
Anthony  Van  Dam,  Secretary. 

Then  the  following  resolutions,  being  read,  were  agreed  to. 

That  the  members  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  shall  meet  the 
first  Tuesday  in  every  month,  to  transact  such  business  as  may 
come  before  them;  and  establish  such  rules  for  the  order  and 
good  government  of  the  Society  as  they  may  think  proper  and  find 
necessary. 

That  the  first  Tuesday  in  May,  August,  November,  and  February 
in  every  year  are  declared  to  be  the  Grand  Quarterly  Meetings,  at 
which  times  the  accounts  of  the  Chamber  are  to  be  settled,  and  any 
new  members  who  desire  it  and  are  chosen  by  ballot  are  to  be  ad- 
mitted. 

The  officers  of  said  Chamber  of  Commerce  to  be  chosen  yearly 
by  ballot  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  May,  and  to  continue  for  one 
year. 

Every  member  of  the  Society  who  now  is  or  hereafter  may  be 
admitted  into  the  same,  shall  pay  unto  the  Treasurer  for  the  use 
of  the  said  Chamber  of  Commerce  five  Spanish  dollars  on  his  ad- 
mission, and  shall  also  pay  unto  the  said  Treasiurer  for  the  afore- 
said use  the  further  sum  of  one  Spanish  dollar  on  each  of  the  four 
quarterly  days  before  mentioned,  and  such  members  shall  faith- 
fully and  truly  keep,  obey,  and  conform  to  all  rules  and  regulations 
made  and  entered  into  by  said  Chamber  of  Commerce,  which  are 
to  be  entered  into  the  Books  of  the  said  Society  to  be  kept  for  that 
purpose,  on  pain  of  being  dismissed  the  said  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
and  having  his  or  their  names  struck  off  the  list. 

Any  merchant  choosing  to  become  a  member  of  this  Chamber 
of  Commerce  must  give  in  his  name  to  the  President  for  the  time 
being  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  the  month  preceding  the  Quarterly 
meeting,  and  the  person  proposed  is  to  be  balloted  for,  and  if  three 
nays  appear  he  cannot  be  admitted  dming  the  government  of  the 
President  in  whose  year  he  was  so  refused,  but  may  be  proposed 
the  succeeding  or  any  year  after,  and  if  not  again  opposed  by  three 
nays  then  to  be  admitted,  but  if  any  person  is  three  times  refused, 
he  is  never  to  be  admitted. 

A  proper  room  for  the  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  Chamber 
of  Commerce  is  to  be  provided  at  the  expense  of  the  members  so 


APPENDIX  231 

that  it  doth  not  exceed  one  shilling  per  man,  which  each  person 
is  to  pay  to  the  Treasurer  at  their  respective  meetings. 

The  members  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  doth  agree  that  the 
Treasurer  shall  provide  for  their  use  a  strong  chest,  wherein  shall 
be  deposited  their  cash,  books,  and  papers,  which  is  to  have  three 
different  good  locks  and  keys — one  key  to  be  kept  by  the  President, 
one  by  the  Treasurer,  and  the  third  by  the  Secretary;  the  chest  for 
the  present  to  be  kept  at  the  Treasurer's. 

No  business  to  be  done  by  the  said  Chamber  of  Commerce  im- 
less  there  be  twenty-one  members  present,  of  which  the  President 
or  Vice-President  to  be  always  one  (unless  by  committees  to  be 
appointed  for  particular  purposes),  the  meeting  on  the  first  Tuesday 
in  May  next  only  excepted,  when  thirteen  or  more  members  may 
do  business,  and  everything  proposed  or  transacted  to  be  by  vote 
of  the  members  present,  and  the  opinion  of  the  majority  of  votes  to 
be  conclusive  and  binding  on  the  members,  except  in  admitting 
new  members,  which  is  to  be  done  as  is  hereinbefore  directed. 

The  President,  with  the  advice  of  the  members  of  the  Chamber, 
is  to  appoint  the  place  of  meeting,  nothing  to  be  done  but  by  appli- 
cation to  him,  who  is  to  examine  and  sign  the  Treasurer's  accounts, 
and  in  general  to  superintend  all  the  Society's  affairs. 

The  Vice-President  in  the  absence  of  the  President  to  have  the 
same  power  and  authority  as  if  the  President  was  personally  pres- 
ent, who  is  to  keep  the  President's  key  when  absent. 

The  Treasurer  to  provide  a  proper  book,  at  the  expense  of  the 
said  Chamber,  for  keeping  the  receipt  of  all  money  paid  to  him, 
and  all  money  laid  out  by  him  for  the  use  of  the  said  Society, 
which  are  to  be  fairly  entered  at  the  meetings  held  from  time 
to  time,  and  which  are  to  be  audited  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  May 
in  every  year,  and  signed  by  the  auditors  to  be  appointed  for  that 
purpose,  when  he  is  to  deliver  over  the  cash  remaining  in  hand, 
books,  and  his  key  to  the  Treasurer  elected,  or  in  the  absence  of 
the  Treasurer  so  elected,  then  to  the  President,  or  in  his  absence  to 
the  Vice-President. 

The  Secretary  is  to  keep  a  fair  register  of  all  proceedings,  orders, 
rules,  and  regulations  of  the  said  Chamber  of  Commerce,  which  are 
to  be  entered  in  a  proper  book  to  be  provided  for  that  purpose  at 
the  expense  of  the  said  Society.  In  the  absence  of  the  Secretary, 
the  President  to  appoint  one  of  the  members  to  officiate  in  his 
place  for  the  time  being,  to  whom,  by  a  written  order  from  the 
President,  the  Secretary  is  to  deliver  his  key. 


232 


APPENDIX 


Every  member  not  attending  the  monthly  meeting,  to  forfeit 
and  pay  to  the  Treasurer  two  shillings,  and  such  who  do  not  attend 
the  quarterly  meeting,  to  pay  four  shillings  for  non-attendance, 
imless  some  cause,  judged  reasonable  by  the  Society,  is  admitted 
by  them  as  sufficient.  Sickness,  and  being  absent  at  least  six 
miles  from  the  city,  to  be  always  allowed  sufficient  reasons  for  non- 
attendance. 

The  President  is  to  appoint  a  proper  person,  to  be  approved 
of  by  the  Society,  as  their  Doorkeeper  and  Messenger,  who  is  to 
be  paid  by  the  Treasurer  such  sums  as  may  be  hereafter  directed 
by  the  President  for  his  services. 

It  is  agreed  that  no  new  rules,  regulations,  or  orders  for  the 
government  of  this  Society  shall  be  made,  unless  proposed  at  a 
preceding  meeting,  that  there  may  be  time  for  the  general  sense 
of  the  Society  to  be  known. 

The  President,  or  in  his  absence,  the  Vice-President,  hath  power 
on  any  emergency  to  call  a  meeting  of  the  said  Chamber,  and 
all  meetings  to  be  at  six  o'clock  in  the  evening  of  every  day  that 
their  attendance  may  be  required. 

The  following  gentlemen,  who  are  of  the  Society,  not  being  pres- 
ent, assented  to  the  same: 

John  Alsop,  Philip  Livingston, 

Henry  White,  James  McEvers. 


ORIGINAL  CHARTER 

Charter  of  the  Corporation  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 
IN  THE  City  of  New  York 

George  the  Third,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain, 
France  and  Ireland,  King,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  and  so  forth — 
To  all  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  Greeting: 

Whereas,  a  great  number  of  merchants  in  our  City  of  New  Recites  that 
York,  in  America,  have,  by  voluntary  agreement,  associated  them-  had  petitioned 
selves  for  the  laudable  pvupose  of  promoting  the  trade  and  com-  nor"coi<knr'' 
merce  of  our  said  province;  and  whereas,  John  Cruder,  Esq., 
the  present  President  of  the  said  Society,  by  his  hiunble  petition 
presented  in  behalf  of  the  said  Society,  to  our  trusty  and  well- 
beloved  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esq.,  our  Lieutenant-Governor 
and  Commander-in-Chief  of  our  said  Province  of  New  York,  and 
the  territories  depending  thereon  in  America,  and  read  in  our 
Council  for  our  said  Province,  on  the  twenty-eighth  day  of  Febru-  theasth  Feb- 
ary,  last  past,  hath  represented  to  oiu:  said  Lieutenant-Governor, 
that  the  said  Society  (sensible  that  niunberless  inestimable  benefits 
have  accrued  to  mankind  from  commerce;  that  they  are,  in  pro- 
portion to  their  greater  or  lesser  application  to  it,  more  or  less 
opulent  and  potent  in  all  countries;  and  that  the  enlargement  of 
trade  will  vastly  increase  the  value  of  real  estates,  as  well  as  the 
general  opulence  of  our  said  colony)  have  associated  together  for 
some  time  past,  in  order  to  carry  into  execution  among  them- 
selves, and  by  their  example  to  promote  in  others,  such  measures 
as  were  beneficial  to  those  salutary  purposes;  and  that  the  said 
Society  having,  Avith  great  pleasure  and  satisfaction,  experienced 
the  good  effects  which  the  few  regulations  already  adopted  had 
produced,  were  very  desirous  of  rendering  them  more  extensively 
useful  and  permanent  and  more  adequate  to  the  purposes  of  so 
benevolent  an  institution;  and  therefore  the  petitioner,  in  behalf 
of  the  said  Society,  most  himibly  prayed  our  said  Lieutenant- 

233 


luaiy. 


234  APPENDIX 

to  incorporate  Govcmor  to  incorporate  them  a  body  politic,  and  to  invest  them 
^^^^  with  such  powers  and  authorities  as  might  be  thought  most  con- 

ducive to  answer  and  promote  the  commercial  and,  consequently, 
the  landed  interests  of  our  said  growing  colony;  which  petition 
being  read  as  aforesaid,  was  then  and  there  referred  to  a  Committee 
of  our  said  Council,  and  afterwards,  on  the  same  day,  our  said 
Council,  in  pursuance  of  the  report  of  the  said  Committee,  did 
himibly  advise  and  consent,  that  our  said  Lieutenant-Governor, 
by  our  letters  patent,  should  constitute  and  appoint  the  petitioner, 
and  the  present  members  of  the  said  Society,  a  body  corporate 
by  the  name  and  poUtic,  by  the  name  of  "The  Corporation  of  the  Chamber 

^rrt?on*oHhe    OF  COMMERCE  IN  THE  CiTY  OF  NeW  YoRK,  IN  AMERICA,"  agreeable 

ComSer"  ^  *°  ^^^  prayer  of  the  said  petition:  Therefore,  we  being  willing  to 
the  City  of  further  the  laudable  designs  of  our  said  loving  subjects,  and  to 

New  York,  m       .  ....  ,  i 

America."  give  Stability  to  an  institution  from  whence  great  advantages  may 
arise,  as  well  as  to  our  kingdom  of  Great  Britain  as  to  our  said 
province. 

Know  ye,  That  of  our  special  grace,  certain  knowledge  and 
mere  motion,  we  have  willed,  ordained,  given,  granted,  consti- 
tuted and  appointed,  and  by  these  presents  for  us,  our  heirs  and 
successors,  do  will,  ordain,  give,  grant,  constitute,  and  appoint, 
that  the  present  members  of  the  said  Society,  associated  for  the 
purpose  aforesaid,  that  is  to  say,  John  Cruger,  Elias  Desbrosses, 
James  Jauncey,  Jacob  Walton,  Robert  Murray,  Hugh  Wal- 
lace, George  Folliot,  Wm.  Walton,  John  Alsop,  Henry  White, 
Philip  Livingston,  Samuel  Verplanck,  Theophylact  Bache, 
Thomas  White,  Miles  Sherbrooke,  Walter  Franklin,  Robert 
Ross  Waddell,  Acherson  Thompson,  Lawrence  Cortwright, 
Thomas  Randal,  William  M'Adam,  Isaac  Low,  Anthony  Van 
Dam,  Robert  Watts,  John  Harris  Cruger,  Gerard  Walton, 
Isaac  Sears,  Jacobus  Van  Zandt,  Charles  M'Evers,  John 
Moore,  Lewis  Pintard,  Levinus  Clarkson,  Nicholas  Gouver- 
neur,  Richard  Yates,  Thomas  Marston,  Peter  Hassencliver, 
Alexander  Wallace,  Gabriel  H.  Ludlow,  Thomas  Buchannan, 
Wm.  Neilson,  Sampson  Simpson,  Peter  Kettletas,  Gerard  W. 
Beekman,  Jacob  Watson,  Richard  Sharpe,  Peter  Remsen, 
Henry  Remsen,  junior,  William  Seton,  Edw.  Laight,  John 
Reade,  Robert  Alexander,  Thomas  W.  Moore,  Abraham 
Lynson,  Isaac  Roosevelt,  Nicholas  Hoffman,  Hamilton 
Young,  Thomas  Walton,  John  Thurman,  John  Weatherhead, 


APPENDIX  235 

Garrit  Rapelye,  Gerard  Duyckinck,  William  Stepple,  Wil- 
liam Imlay,  Augustus  Van  Horne,  Henry  C.  Bogert,  George 
W.  Ludlow,  Joseph  Bull,  Leonard  Lispenard,  Thomas  Miller, 
Jas.  Beekman,  Samuel  Kemble,  Alexander  M 'Donald  and 
Samuel  Bayard,  jun.,  all  of  our  City  of  New  York,  in  our  said 
province  of  New  York,  merchants,  and  their  successors,  to  be 
elected  by  virtue  of  this  our  present  Charter,  shall  for  ever  here- 
after be  one  body  corporate  and  politic  in  deed,  fact  and  name, 
by  the  name  and  style,  "The  Corporation  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce  in  the  City  of  New  York,  in  America,"  and  them 
and  their  successors,  by  the  same  name,  we  do  by  these  presents 
really  and  fully  make,  erect,  create,  constitute  and  declare  one 
body  poUtic  and  corporate,  in  deed,  fact  and  name  for  ever;  and 
will  give,  grant,  and  ordain,  that  they  and  their  successors,  the 
Corporation  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  in  the  City  of  New 
York,  in  America,  by  the  same  name,  shall  and  may  have  perpetual     To  have  per- 
succession,  and  shall  and  may  by  the  same  name,  be  persons  capa-  Son. 
ble  in  the  law  to  sue  and  be  sued,  implead  and  be  impleaded,  answer     To  sue  and 
and  be  answered,  defend  and  be  defended,  in  all  courts  and  else-  manner  of  L- 
where,  in  all  manner  of  actions,  suits,  complaints,  pleas,  causes,  ^^' 
matters  and  demands  whatsoever,  as  fully  and  ample  as  any  other 
of  our  Uege  subjects  of  our  said  province  of  New  York  may  or  can 
sue  or  be  sued,  implead  or  be  impleaded,  defend  or  be  defended, 
by  any  lawfid  ways  or  means  whatsoever;  and  that  they  and  their     May  be  ca- 
successors  by  the  same  name,  shall  be  for  ever  hereafter  persons  purchase   and 
capable  and  able  in  the  law  to  piurchase,  take,  receive,  hold  and  tate?"  "    ^* 
enjoy  to  them  and  their  successors,  any  messuages,  tenements, 
houses  and  real  estates  whatsoever,  and  all  other  hereditaments  of 
whatsoever  nature,  kind  and  quaUty  they  may  be,  in  fee  simple, 
for  term  of  life  or  lives,  or  in  any  other  manner  howsoever,  and  also 
any  goods,  chattels  or  personal  estate  whatsoever,  as  well  for  en- 
abling them  the  better  to  carry  into  execution,  encourage  and  pro- 
mote, by  just  and  lawful  ways  and  means,  such  measures  as  will 
tend  to  promote  and  extend  just  and  lawful  commerce,  as  to  provide     To  promote 

,  .,,  .  ,.,.  .  ,  ,,  .,    and    extend 

for,  aid  and  assist,  at  their  discretion,  such  members  of  our  said  com  mere e. 
Corporation  as  may  hereafter  be  reduced  to  poverty,  and  their  tressed  "^mem- 
widows  and  children;  Provided  always,  the  clear  yearly  value  of  "' 
the  said  real  estate  doth  not  at  any  time  exceed  the  sum  of  three  Provided 
thousand  pounds  sterUng,  lawful  money  of  our  Kingdom  of  Great  yearly  income 
Britain.  And  that  our  said  Corporation  of  the  Chamber  of  Com-  ce^dia.o^o 
merce  in  the  City  of  New  York,  in  America,  and  their  successors  for  ***'''  ^^  "^' 


236 


APPENDIX 


Power  to 
lease  or  dispose 
of  real  estate, 
&c. 


And  have  a 
common  seal, 
which  may  be 
altered. 


May  bu3d 
any  house  or 
bouses. 


For  ever  to 
have  one  Presi- 
dent, one  or 
more  Vice- 
Presidents, 
one  or  more 
Treasurers; 
and  one  Secre< 
tary. 


Appointment 
of  J.  Cruger, 
Esq.,  Presi- 
dent; Hugh 
Wallace,  Vice- 
President  ; 
Elias  Des- 
brosses,  Trea- 
surer; Anthony 
Van  Dam,  Sec- 
retary. 


On  the  first 
Tuesday  in 
May  in  every 
year,  to  meet 
and  choose  of- 
ficers. 


ever,  by  the  same  name,  shall  and  may  have  full  power  and  author- 
ity to  give,  grant,  sell,  lease,  demise  and  dispose  of  the  same  real 
estate  and  hereditaments  whatsoever,  for  life,  or  Hves,  or  years, 
or  for  ever;  and  all  goods,  chattels  and  personal  estates  what- 
soever at  their  will  and  pleasure,  according  as  they  shall  judge  to 
be  most  beneficial  and  advantageous  to  the  good  ends  and  purposes 
aforementioned.  And  that  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  them  and 
their  successors  for  ever  hereafter,  to  have  a  common  seal,  to  serve 
for  the  causes  and  business  of  them  and  their  successors,  and  the 
same  seal  to  change,  alter,  break  and  make  new  from  time  to  time 
at  their  pleasure.  And  also  that  they  and  their  successors,  by  the 
same  name,  shall  and  may  have  full  power  and  authority  to  erect 
and  build  out  of  their  common  funds,  or  by  any  other  ways  or  means, 
for  the  use  of  the  Corporation  hereby  erected,  any  house,  houses  or 
other  buildings,  as  they  shall  think  necessary  and  convenient. 
And  for  the  better  carrying  into  execution  the  purposes  aforesaid, 
our  royal  will  and  pleasure  is,  and  we  do  hereby  give  and  grant  to 
the  Corporation  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  in  the  City  of  New 
York,  in  America,  and  their  successors  for  ever,  that  there  shall  be 
for  ever  hereafter  belonging  to  the  said  Corporation,  one  President, 
one  or  more  Vice-President  or  Vice-Presidents,  one  or  more  Trea- 
surer or  Treasurers,  and  one  Secretary;  and  for  the  more  immediate 
carrying  into  execution  oiur  royal  will  and  pleasure  herein,  we  do 
hereby  assign,  constitute  and  appoint  the  above  named  John 
Cruger,  Esq.,  to  be  the  present  President;  the  above  named  Hugh 
Wallace  to  be  the  present  Vice-President;  the  above  named 
Elias  Desbrosses  to  be  the  present  Treasurer,  and  the  above 
named  Anthony  Van  Dam  to  be  the  present  Secretary  of  our 
said  Corporation  hereby  erected,  who  shall  hold,  possess  and  enjoy 
their  said  respective  offices  imtil  the  first  Tuesday  in  May  now 
next  ensuing;  and  for  keeping  up  the  succession  in  the  said  offices, 
our  royal  will  and  pleasiure  is,  and  we  do  hereby  for  us,  our  heirs 
and  successors,  establish,  direct  and  require,  and  give  and  grant 
to  the  said  Corporation  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  in  the  City 
of  New  York,  in  America,  and  their  successors  for  ever,  that  on  the 
said  first  Tuesday  in  May  now  next  ensuing,  [and  for  the  keeping 
up  the  succession  in  the  said  office,  our  royal  will  and  pleasure  is, 
and  we  do  hereby  for  us,  oiu*  heirs  and  successors,  estabUsh,  direct 
and  require,  and  give  and  grant  to  the  said  Corporation  of  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  in  the  City  of  New  York,  in  America,  and 
their  successors  for  ever,  that  on  the  said  first  Tuesday  in  May  now 


APPENDIX  237 

next  ensuing,]  and  yearly,  and  every  year  for  ever  thereafter,  on 
the  first  Tuesday  in  May  in  every  year,  they  and  their  successors 
shall  meet  at  some  convenient  place  in  our  said  City  of  New  York, 
to  be  fixed  and  ascertained  by  some  of  the  by-laws  and  regulations 
of  our  said  Corporation,  and  there,  by  the  majority  of  such  of  them 
as  shall  so  meet,  shall  by  ballot  or  in  such  other  manner  and  form 
as  shall  be  regulated  by  the  by-laws  or  regulations  of  our  said 
Corporation,  elect  or  choose  one  President,  one  or  more  Vice-Presi-    And  elect  one 
dent  or  Vice-Presidents,  one  or  more  Treasurer  or  Treasurers,  and  o/^ore  Vfc^ 
one  Secretary,  to  serve  in  the  said  offices  for  the  ensuing  year,  or^ore'r^! 
who  shall  immediately  enter  upon  their  respective  offices,  and  hold,  s^^^f  to 
exercise  and  enjoy  the  same  respectively  from  the  time  of  such  elec-  ^^^  y^^- 
tion,  for  and  during  the  space  of  one  year,  and  until  other  fit  per-     And  until 

1     11  1         1  Til  .       1     /         '  .  ,  ,.  other   fit    per- 

sons  shall  be  elected  and  chosen  m  then:  respective  places,  according  sons  be  chosen. 
to  the  laws  and  regulations  aforesaid.    And  in  case  any  of  the  said 
persons  by  these  presents  nominated  and  appointed  to  the  respec-     in  case  any 
tive  offices  aforesaid,  or  who  shall  hereafter  be  elected  and  chosen  or  future  offi- 
thereto  respectively,  shall  die,  or  on  any  accoimt  be  removed  from  beremoved*,"' 
such  offices  respectively  before  the  time  of  their  respective  appointed 
services  shall  be  expired,  or  refuse  or  neglect  to  act  in  and  execute 
the  office  for  which  he  or  they  shall  be  so  elected  and  chosen,  or  is  othOT  may  be 
or  are  herein  nominated  or  appointed,  that  then,  and  in  any  and 
every  such  case,  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  the  members  of  our 
said  body  corporate  hereby  erected  to  meet  at  such  time  and  times, 
and  at  such  place  and  places  within  our  said  City  of  New  York, 
and  upon  such  notices  and  summons  as  shall  for  that  purpose  be  upon  notice 
estabUshed  and  directed  by  the  by-laws  or  regulations  of  our  said  ^''^' 
body  corporate,  and  there,  by  the  majority  of  such  of  them  as  shall  by  a  majority 
so  meet,  elect  and  choose  other  or  others  to  the  said  offices  respec-  °  ^°    ' 
tively  in  the  place  of  him  or  them  so  dying,  removing,  neglecting  or 
refusing  to  act  in  manner  and  form,  and  after  the  same  method  to 
be  observed  in  the  annual  elections  of  the  like  officers  respectively, 
by  virtue  of  these  our  letters  patent,  and  the  said  by-laws  or  regula- 
tions of  our  said  Corporation,  hereby  giving  and  granting  that  such 
person  or  persons  as  shall  be  so  elected  and  chosen  by  the  majority 
of  such  of  the  said  members  as  shall  meet  in  manner  aforesaid,  shall  who  shall  cxer- 
have,  hold,  exercise  and  enjoy  such  the  office  or  offices  to  which  he  ^ii^  the"  fi^ 
or  they  shall  be  so  elected  and  chosen,  from  the  time  of  such  election  ^^^^  ioMaw- 
until  the  first  Tuesday  in  May  then  next  ensuing,  and  until  other 
or  others  be  legally  chosen  in  his  or  their  place  and  stead,  as  fully 
and  amply,  to  all  intents  and  purposes  whatsoever,  as  the  person 


elected,! 


238  APPENDIX 

or  persons  in  whose  place  he  or  they  shall  be  chosen  might  or  could 
have  done  by  virtue  of  these  presents.    And  our  will  and  pleasure 
is,  and  we  do  hereby  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  ordain,  direct 
and  require,  that  every  President,  Vice-President,  Treasurer  and 
Secretary  to  be  elected  by  virtue  of  these  presents,  shall,  before 
Officers    to  they  act  in  their  respective  offices,  take  an  oath  or  affirmation  to  be 
^rmation^be'  to  them  administered  by  the  President,  or  in  his  absence,  by  one 
d°nt^or  vkil  of  the  Vice-Presidents  of  the  preceding  year,  (who  are  hereby 
fhlfdthfddk-  authorized  to  administer  the  same,)  for  the  faithful  and  due  execu- 
charge  of  their  tion  of  their  rcspcctive  offices  during  their  continuance  in  the  same 
respectively.    And  we  do  further,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors, 
give  and  grant  to  the  Corporation  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 
in  the  City  of  New  York,  in  America,  and  their  successors  for  ever, 
that  besides  the  annual  meeting  of  our  said  Corporation  herein 
The  first  Tues-  before  directed  and  appointed  to  be  held  on  the  first  Tuesday  in 
evwyyearf  ^°  May  in  every  year,  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  them,  their  heirs 
and  successors,  for  ever  hereafter,  for  promoting  and  carrying  into 
execution  the  laudable  intents  and  designs  aforesaid,  and  for  the 
transacting  the  business  and  concerns  of  our  said  Corporation,  to 
meet  together  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  every  month,  for  ever,  at 
such  place  or  places  in  our  said  City  of  New  York  as  shall  for  that 
pmrpose  be  estabhshed,  fijced,  ascertained  and  appointed  by  the  by- 
laws and  regulations  of  our  said  corporation;  and  that  the  members 
of  our  said  Corporation  being  so  met,  or  so  many  of  them  in  nmnber 
at  the  least  as  shall  by  the  by-laws  or  ordinances  of  our  said  Cor- 
poration be  for  that  purpose  from  time  to  time  established,  directed, 
The  President  ordaiued  or  appointed,  shall,  together  with  the  President  or  any 
the*vL-Prest  oue  of  the  Vice-Presidents  of  our  said  Corporation  for  the  time  be- 
such'a*num*ber  ing,  be  a  legal  meeting  of  our  said  Corporation;  and  they  or  the 
M*theT™i^  major  part  of  them  so  met,  shall  have  full  power  and  authority 
fegaV  mee^ng  ^°  adjoum  from  day  to  day,  or  for  any  other  time,  as  the  business 
Jo^ adjourn  of  our  Said  Corporation  may  require,  and  to  do,  execute  and  per- 
day,  form  all  and  every  act  and  acts,  thing  and  things  whatsoever  which 

the  said  Corporation  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  in  the  City  of 
and  transact  New  York,  in  America,  are  or  shall  by  these  letters  patent  be  au- 

business,  i.ii  .rut  i 

thonzed  to  do,  act  or  transact,  m  as  full  and  ample  manner  as 
if  all  and  every  of  the  members  of  the  said  Corporation  were  pres- 
ent. And  that  at  any  such  legal  meeting  of  the  said  Corporation, 
they  shall  and  may  in  writing,  imder  the  common  seal,  make,  frame, 
constitute,  establish  and  ordain,  from  time  to  time,  and  at  all  times 
hereafter,  such  laws,  constitutions,  ordinances,  regulations  and 


APPENDIX  239 

statutes,  for  the  better  government  of  the  officers  and  members  of 
the  said  Corporation,  for  fixing  and  ascertaining  the  places  of 
meeting  of  our  said  Corporation  as  aforesaid,  and  for  regiilating 
all  other  their  affairs  and  business  as  they,  or  the  major  part  of 
them  so  legally  met,  shall  judge  best  for  the  general  good  of  the 
said  Corporation,  and  profitable  for  the  more  efifectually  promoting 
the  beneficial  designs  of  their  institution; — all  which  laws,  constitu- 
tions, regulations,  ordinances  and  statutes  so  to  be  made,  framed, 
constituted,  established  and  ordained  as  aforesaid,  we  will,  com- 
mand and  ordain  by  these  presents  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors, 
to  be  from  time  to  time  and  at  all  times  hereafter,  kept,  obeyed  and  and  be  obeyed, 
performed  in  all  things  as  the  same  ought  to  be,  on  the  penalties 
and  amercements  in  the  same  to  be  imposed  and  limited,  so  as  the 
same  laws,  constitutions,  regulations  and  statues  be  reasonable  «©  that  they  are 
in  themselves,  and  not  repugnant  or  contrary  to  the  laws  and  stat-  S?  ro^S^^to 
utes  of  that  part  of  our  kingdom  of  Great  Britain  called  England,  c^t'^Brita^ 
nor  of  our  said  province  of  New  York.    And  for  the  keeping  up  and  and  New,  York, 
preserving  forever  hereafter  a  succession  of  members  for  the  said 
Corporation,  our  will  and  pleasure  is,  and  we  do  hereby  for  us,  our     For  the  suc- 
heirs  and  successors,  ordain  and  give  and  grant  to  the  said  Corpora-  memU«!'  **  ^ 
tion  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  in  the  City  of  New  York,  in 
America,  and  their  successors  for  ever,  that  at  any  of  the  stated  legal  at  statedmeet- 
meetings  of  the  said  Corporation,  to  be  held  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  "^ 
every  month  for  ever  hereafter,  but  at  no  other  meeting  of  our  said 
Corporation,  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  them  and  their  suc- 
cessors forever,  to  elect  and  choose,  in  such  manner  and  form,  and  to  elect  and 
upon  such  terms  and  conditions,  as  shall  be  directed,  ordained  and  '=''°°*'' 
established  for  that  purpose  by  any  of  the  said  by-laws,  statutes, 
constitutions  or  ordinances  of  the  said  Corporation,  such  and  so 
many  persons  to  be  members  of  the  said  Corporation  as  they  shall 
think  beneficial  to  the  laudable  designs  of  the  said  Corporation; 
which  persons,  and  every  of  them  so  from  time  to  time  elected  and 
chosen,  shall,  by  virtue  of  these  presents  and  of  such  election,  be  who  are  to 
vested  with  all  the  pwwers,  authorities  and  privileges  which  any  priCifegw  that 
member  of  the  said  Corporation  is  hereby  invested  with.    And  in  hereby^'Slw" 
case  any  other  extraordinary  meeting  or  meetings  of  the  said  Cor-  ^  ^^• 
poration  shall  at  any  time  or  times  be  judged  necessary  for  the  pro-      Extraordi- 
moting  the  interest  and  business  of  the  said  Corporation,  we  do 
hereby  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  will,  declare  and  ordain, 
that  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  our  said  corporation  to  meet 
from  time  to  time,  at  such  days  and  times,  and  at  such  places  in 


naiy  meeting 


240 


APPENDIX 


to  meet  upon 
notice, 


to  be  legal. 


but  not  to  elect 
members.make 
laws.or  dispose 
of  reiai  estate. 


To  be  held  in 
the  Exchange. 

No  act'done 
in  any  meeting 
to  be  valid  [un- 
less a  given 
number  be 
piesent]. 


our  said  City  of  New  York,  and  upon  such  notices  or  summons  as 
shall  for  that  purpose  from  time  to  time  be  settled,  established, 
directed,  ordained  and  appointed  for  that  purpose,  shall,  together 
with  the  President,  or  one  of  the  Vice-Presidents  of  the  said  Cor- 
poration for  the  time  being,  be  a  legal  meeting  of  the  said  Corpora- 
tion; and  they,  or  the  major  part  of  them  so  met,  shall  have  full 
power  and  authority  to  act,  transact,  do  and  perform  all  and  singu- 
lar whatsoever  may  be  transacted,  done  and  performed  at  any  of 
the  hereby  stated  meetings  aforesaid  of  the  said  Corporation,  saving 
and  except  the  electing  members,  making  laws,  ordinances  and 
statutes,  and  disposing  of  the  real  estates  of  the  said  Corporation. 
And  our  will  and  pleasure  is,  that  until  the  same  shall  be  otherwise 
regulated  as  aforesaid,  that  the  meetings  of  the  said  Corporation 
shall  be  held  in  the  great  room  of  the  building  commonly  called  the 
Exchange,  situate  at  the  lower  end  of  the  street  called  Broad-street, 
in  the  said  City  of  New  York;  and  that  until  the  same  shall  be  also 
otherwise  regulated  as  aforesaid,  that  no  act  done  in  any  meeting 
of  the  said  Corporation  shall  be  legal,  good  or  vahd,  unless  the 
President,  or  one  of  the  Vice-Presidents,  and  twenty  others  of  tlie 
members  of  the  said  Corporation  at  the  least  be  present,  and  the 
major  part  of  them  consenting  thereto.  And  we  do  further  give 
and  grant  to  the  said  Corporation  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 
in  the  City  of  New  York,  in  America,  "that  it  shall  and  may  be  law- 
ful for  the  President  of  the  said  Corporation,  at  all  times  hereafter 
for  ever,  to  appoint  a  door-keeper,  one  or  more  messenger  or  mes- 
sengers, and  all  such  other  inferior  officers  as  shall  by  him  be  thought 
necessary  for  the  said  Corporation,  and  to  displace  them,  and  any 
or  every  of  them,  at  his  will  and  pleasure.  Provided,  nevertheless, 
that  no  such  door-keeper,  messenger  or  other  officer  shall  hold  his 
or  their  office  or  offices  by  virtue  of  any  such  appointment  longer 
than  imtil  the  then  next  lawful  meeting  of  our  said  Corporation, 
imless  such  person  or  persons  so  appointed  shall  be  then  approved 
of  by  the  majority  of  such  of  the  members  of  the  said  Corporation 
as  shall  then  be  met.  And  we  do  further,  of  our  special  grace,  cer- 
tain knowledge,  and  mere  motion,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors, 
grant  and  ordain,  that  when  and  as  often  as  the  President,  or  any 
Vice-President,  Treasurer  or  Secretary  of  the  said  Corporation  shall 
misdemean  himself  in  his  or  their  said  offices  respectively,  and  there- 
upon a  complaint  or  charge  in  writing  shall  be  exhibited  against 
him  or  them,  by  any  member  of  the  said  Corporation,  at  any  legal 
meeting  or  meetings  of  the  said  Corporation,  that  it  shall  and  may 


APPENDIX  241 

be  lawful  for  the  members  of  the  said  Corporation  then  met,  or  the 
major  part  of  them,  from  time  to  time,  upon  examination  and  due 
proof,  to  suspend  or  discharge  such  President,  Vice-President, 
Treasurer  or  Secretary,  from  their  offices  respectively,  although 
the  yearly  or  other  time  for  their  respective  services  shall  not  be 
expired,  any  thing  before  in  these  presents  contained  to  the  con- 
trary thereof  in  any  wise  notwithstanding.  And  further,  we  do  by 
these  presents  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  give  and  grant 
unto  the  said  Corporation  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  in  the 
City  of  New  York,  in  America,  and  their  successors  for  ever,  that 
this  our  present  Charter  shall  be  deemed,  adjudged  and  con- 
strued in  all  cases  most  favorably,  and  for  the  best  benefit  and  ad- 
vantage of  our  said  Corporation,  and  for  promoting  the  good  inten- 
tions and  designs  hereinbefore  expressed,  inducing  us  graciously 
to  grant  the  same;  and  that  this  our  present  grant,  being  entered 
on  record  as  hereinafter  is  expressed,  or  the  enrolment  thereof, 
shall  be  for  ever  hereafter  good  and  effectual  in  the  law,  according 
to  our  true  intent  and  meaning  hereinbefore  declared,  without  any 
other  Ucense,  grant  or  confirmation  from  us,  our  heirs  and  suc- 
cessors, hereafter  by  the  said  Corporation  to  be  had  or  obtained, 
notwithstanding  the  not  reciting  or  misrecital,  or  not  naming  or 
misnaming  of  the  aforesaid  offices,  franchises,  privileges,  immuni- 
ties or  other  the  premises,  or  any  of  them,  and  although  no  writ 
of  ad  quo  damnum,  or  other  writs,  inquisitions  or  precepts  hath  been 
upon  this  occasion  had,  made,  issued  or  prosecuted,  any  statute, 
act,  ordinance  or  provision,  or  other  matter  or  thing  to  the  con- 
trary thereof  in  any  wise  notwithstanding.  In  testimony  whereof, 
we  have  caused  these  our  letters  to  be  made  patent,  and  the  great 
seal  of  our  said  province  to  be  hereunto  affixed,  and  the  same  to 
be  entered  on  record  in  our  Secretary's  office,  for  our  said  province, 
in  one  of  the  books  of  patents  there  remaining. 

Witness  our  trusty  and  well-beloved  Cadwallader  Colden, 
Esquire,  our  Lieutenant-Governor  and  Commander-in-Chief  of 
our  said  province  of  New  York  and  the  territories  depending 
thereon,  in  America,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  our 
Council  for  our  said  province,  at  Fort  George,  in  our  City  of  New 
York,  this  thirteenth  day  of  March,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy,  and  of  our  reign  the  tenth. 


m 

REAFFIRMED  CHARTER 
Act  of  Re-incorporation  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 

AN  ACT 

to  remove  doubts  concerning  the  corporation  of  the  cham- 
ber OF  commerce,  and  to  confirm  the  rights  and  privi- 
leges THEREOF. 


Passed  the  13th  April,  1784. 

Preamble.  Whereas,  George  THE  Third,  King  of  Great  Britain,  did,  on 

the  thirteenth  day  of  March,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
seventy,  grant  certain  letters  patent  to  the  persons  therein  named, 
under  the  great  seal  of  the  then  colony  of  New  York,  which  said 
letters  patent  are  in  the  words  following,  that  is  to  say: 

(Here  follows  a  recital  of  the  preceding  Charter.) 

Reddng  the      And  whercas,  Samuel  Broome,  Jeremiah  Platt,  John  Broome, 

rre^vdpfthe    BENJAMIN  LeDYARD,  ThOMAS  RANDALL,  ROBERT  BOWNE,  DANIEL 
Coiporation.       PhceNIX,  JaCOB  MoRRIS,  ElIPHALET  BrUSH,  JaMES  JaRVIS,  JoHN 

Blagge,  Viner  Van  Zandt,  Stephen  Sayre,  Jacobus  Van  Zandt, 
Nathaniel  Hazard,  Thomas  Hazard,  Abraham  P.  Lott,  Abra- 
ham Duryee,  William  Malcolm,  John  Alsop,  Isaac  Sears, 
James  Beekman,  Abraham  Lott,  Comfort  Sands,  Joseph 
Blackwell,  Joshua  Sands,  Lawrence  Embree,  George  Em- 

BREE,    GeRARDUS   DuYCKINCK,   JuU.,    CORNELIUS    RAY,   AnTHONY 

Griffiths,  Thomas  Tucker,  John  Berrian,  Isaac  Roosevelt, 
John  Franklin,  John  H.  Kjp,  Henry  H,  Kip,  Archibald  Cur- 
RiE,  David  Currie,  and  Jonathan  Lawrence,  all  of  the  said  city, 
merchants,  have  by  their  humble  petition  set  forth,  that  the  said 
letters  patent,  and  the  powers  and  privileges  exercised  and  en- 
joyed under  the  same,  have  greatly  promoted  the  commercial  in- 
terests of  this  State,  and  that  great  and  daily  inconveniences  and 
injury  are  suffered  by  the  suspension  thereof,  and  have  prayed 
that  the  said  letters  patent,  with  all  and  singular  the  powers  and 

242 


APPENDIX 


243 


franchises   therein   contained,   may  be  revived,   confirmed  and 
established: 

1.  Be  it  therefore  enacted  by  the  people  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
represented  in  Senate  and  Assembly,  and  it  is  hereby  enacted  by  the 
authority  of  the  same,  That  the  said  letters  patent,  and  all  and  singu- 
lar the  powers,  rights,  privileges,  franchises  and  immunities  therein 
and  thereby  granted,  shall  be,  and  the  same  are  hereby  ratified  and 
confirmed;  and  the  said  letters  patent,  and  all  and  every  other 
former  rights,  privileges,  franchises  and  immunities  therein  and 
thereby  granted,  shall  be  and  remain  in  full  force  and  efficacy, 
notwithstanding  any  non-user  or  mis-user  of  any  of  the  said  powers, 
rights,  privileges,  franchises  and  immunities  heretofore  had,  com- 
mitted, done  or  suffered,  between  the  nineteenth  day  of  April, 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-five,  and  the  day  of  the 
passing  of  this  Act.  And  the  said  Samuel  Broome,  Jeremiah 
Platt,  John  Broome,  Benjamin  Ledyard,  Thomas  Randall, 
Robert  Bowne,  Daniel  Phcendc,  Jacob  Morris,  Elephalet 
Brush,  James  Jarvis,  John  Blagge,  Viner  Van  Zandt,  Stephen 
Sayre,  Jacobus  Van  Zandt,  Nathaniel  Hazard,  Thomas 
Hazard,  Abraham  P.  Lott,  Abraham  Duryee,  William  Mal- 
colm, John  Alsop,  Isaac  Sears,  James  Beekman,  Abraham 
LoTT,  Comfort  Sands,  Joseph  Blackwell,  Joshua  Sands,  Law- 
rence Embree,  George  Embree,  Gerardus  Duyckinck,  Jr., 
Cornelius  Ray,  Anthony  Griffiths,  Thomas  Tucker,  John 
Berrian,  Isaac  Roosevelt,  John  Franklin,  John  H.  Kip, 
Henry  H.  Kip,  Archibald  Currie,  David  Currie  and  Jona- 
than Lawrence,  shall  and  may  for  ever  hereafter  remain,  con- 
tinue, and  be  a  body  corporate  and  politic  in  deed,  fact  and  name, 
by  the  name  of  "The  Corporation  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce OF  THE  State  of  New  York,"  and  by  that  name  to  sue, 
plead  and  be  impleaded,  and  to  answer  and  to  be  answered. 


2.  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That  the 
said  John  Alsop  shall  be  the  present  President,  and  the  above 
named  Isaac  Sears  the  present  Vice-President;  that  the  above  ^dSrorei^' 
named  John  Broome,  the  present  Treasurer,  and  the  above  named 
John  Blagge,  the  present  Secretary  of  the  said  Corporation,  who 
shall  hold,  possess  and  enjoy  their  said  respective  offices,  until  the 
first  Tuesday  in  May  now  next  ensuing;  and  in  case  any  or  either 
of  the  said  persons  hereby  nominated  and  appointed  to  the  re- 


244  APPENDIX 

When  and  spectivc  ofl&ccs  afoicsaid,  shall  happen  to  die,  or  shall  neglect  or 
ceTs*s*ha'ube  refuse  to  act  in  or  execute,  or  shall  be  removed  from  such  office 
p^din^  hi  ^^  offices  respectively,  before  the  said  first  Tuesday  in  May  next, 
that  then,  and  in  every  such  case,  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for 
the  members  of  the  said  body  corporate  to  meet  at  such  time 
and  times,  and  such  place  and  places  within  the  said  city  as  they 
shall  for  that  purpose  appoint,  and  upon  such  notices  or  summons 
as  have  heretofore  been  used  and  established  by  the  said  body 
corporate,  and  then  and  there,  by  the  majority  of  such  as  shall  so 
meet,  to  elect  and  choose  other  or  others  to  the  said  office  or  offices 
respectively,  in  the  place  of  him  or  them  so  dying,  or  neglecting 
or  refusing  to  act,  or  being  removed,  in  the  manner  heretofore 
used  in  the  annual  elections  of  the  hke  officers,  which  person  or 
persons  so  elected  and  chosen,  shall  enjoy  and  exercise  the  said  office 
or  offices,  and  aU  and  singular  the  privileges  and  powers  thereto 
belonging  or  appertaining,  until  the  said  first  Tuesday  in  May 
next. 

m  former  3.  Afid  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That  The 
bf  Mjoye*d'by  Corporation  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New 
Co^ration."'^  York,  and  their  successors,  shall  and  may  for  ever  hereafter,  peace- 
ably have,  hold,  use  and  enjoy  all  and  every  the  rights,  powers, 
liberties,  privileges,  franchises,  usages,  lands,  tenements,  estates 
and  hereditaments,  which  have  heretofore,  by  virtue  of  the  above 
recited  Charter,  been  given  or  granted  imto  the  said  Corporation, 
by  the  name  of  The  Corporation  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  in 
the  City  of  New  York,  in  America. 

AMENDMENTS 
AN  ACT 

TO  AMEND  AN  ACT  ENTITLED  "AN  ACT  TO  REMOVE  DOUBTS  CONCERN- 
ING THE  CORPORATION  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE,  AND 
TO  CONFIRM  THE  RIGHTS  AND  PRIVILEGES  THEREOF,"  PASSED 
THE  13TH  DAY  OF  APRIL,  1 784. 

Passed  January  25th,  1854. 

The  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented  in  Senate  and 

Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows: 

Section  i.    Such  part  of  the  letters  patent  under  George  the 
Third,  King  of  Great  Britain,  bearing  date  13th  March,  1770, 


APPENDIX  245 

confirmed  by  act  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York, 

under  date  13th  April,  1784,  as  required  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 

of  New  York  to  meet  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  each  month,  shall  be     Meetings  to 

so  altered  or  amended  as  to  permit  of  the  regular  monthly  meet-  dlilnthefi'ret 

ing  being  held  on  the  first  week  in  each  month,  and  upon  any  day  of  mra'th.'^s^the 

such  week  as  the  President  or  other  duly  authorized  members  of  ^^'^j*  ^^^ 

said  Corporation  may  designate. 

Section  2.  This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately. 
AN  ACT 

TO  AMEND  AN  ACT  ENTITLED  "AN  ACT  TO  REMOVE  DOUBTS  CONCERN- 
ING THE  CORPORATION  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE,  AND  TO 
CONFIRM  THE  RIGHTS  AND  PRIVILEGES  THEREOF,"  PASSED 
APRIL  I3TH,  1784. 

Passed  April  15th,  1861. 

The  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assembly  do  enact  as  follows: 

Section  i.  The  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New 
York  shall  have  the  power  to  elect,  by  ballot,  in  conformity  with 
the  by-laws  adopted  by  the  said  Chamber,  a  committee  to  be  Election  and 
known  and  styled  the  "Arbitration  Committee  of  the  Chamber  cS^'tT^!"^ 
of  Commerce,"  and  shall  have  power  also  to  appoint  a  Committee 
of  Appeal;  and  the  duly  elected  members  of  the  said  Chamber,  and 
all  persons  claiming  by,  through,  or  under  them,  may,  imder  the  lim- 
itations, and  subject  to  the  restrictions  imposed  by  the  provisions 
of  the  statutes  of  the  State  of  New  York  relative  to  arbitration, 
submit  to  the  decision  of  the  Committees  of  Arbitration  and  Ap- 
peal, as  the  same  may  be  constituted  by  the  said  Chamber,  any  con- 
troversy existing  between  them  which  might  be  the  subject  of  an 
action,  and  may  agree  that  a  final  judgment,  in  a  court  of  record, 
to  be  by  them  designated,  shall  be  rendered  on  any  award  made 
pursuant  to  such  submission. 

Section  2.  The  Committee  of  Arbitration  and  Appeal,  elected  or 
appointed  as  aforesaid,  shall  possess  the  same  powers,  be  subject     Powers  and 
to  the  same  duties  and  disabihties  as  appertain  to  arbitrators  by  ^^^'^' 
the  laws  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  awards  made  by  them  must 
be  made,  and  may  be  enforced,  as  therein  and  thereby  directed; 


246 


APPENDIX 


and  all  the  provisions  contained  in  title  fourteen,  part  third,  chap- 
ter eight  of  the  Revised  Statutes  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  all 
acts  amendatory  or  in  substitution  thereof,  shall  apply  to  the  pro- 
ceedings had  before  the  said  Committees  of  Arbitration  and  Appeal, 
as  if  specially  incorporated  herein;  except  that  the  judgment,  to  be 
rendered  in  the  manner  therein  directed,  on  any  award  made  by 
In  regard  to  them  as  aforcsaid,  that  is  to  say  by  the  Committee  of  Arbitration, 
judgment!^  °^  HO  appeal  from  its  action  being  taken  by  either  party  to  the  contro- 
versy, or  by  the  confirmatory  action  of  the  Committee  of  Appeal, 
shall  not  be  subject  to  be  removed,  reversed,  modified  or  appealed 
from  by  the  parties  interested,  in  such  submission  as  aforesaid. 

Section  3.  This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately. 

AN  ACT 

TO  AMEND  AN  ACT  ENTITLED  "AN  ACT  TO  AMEND  AN  ACT  ENTITLED 
*AN  ACT  TO  REMOVE  DOUBTS  CONCERNING  THE  CORPORATION 
OF  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE,  AND  TO  CONFIRM  THE  RIGHTS 
AND  PRIVILEGES  THEREOF,'  PASSED  APRIL  THIRTEENTH,  SEVEN- 
TEEN HUNDRED  AND  EIGHTY-FOUR,"  PASSED  APRIL  FIFTEENTH, 
EIGHTEEN  HUNDRED  AND  SIXTY-ONE. 

Passed  April  22,  1865. 

The  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented  in  Senate  and  Assem- 
bly, do  enact  as  follows: 

Section  i.  Controversies  submitted  to  the  Committee  of 
Arbitration  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  under  the  Act  entitled  "An  act  to  amend  an  act  entitled 
*An  act  to  remove  doubts  concerning  the  Corporation  of  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  to  confirm  the  rights  and  privileges 
thereof,'  passed  April  thirteenth,  seventeen  hundred  and  eighty- 
four,"  passed  April  fifteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-one,  may 
be  heard  and  decided  by  a  majority  of  the  members  of  the  said 
Committee. 


Section  2.  The  members  of  said  Committee  of  Arbitration  shall 
Shall  take  oath  not  be  obUged  to  be  sworn  after  the  manner  of  Arbitrators,  but  shall, 
^h'*supreme  before  assuming  the  duties  of  their  office,  take  an  oath  before  a 
Court.  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court,  faithfully  and  fairly  to  hear  and  ex- 


APPENDIX  247 

amine  all  matters  in  controversy  submitted  to  them  under  the 
act  aforesaid,  and  make  a  just  award  according  to  the  best  of  their 
understanding.  Such  oath  shall  be  filed  with  the  Secretary  of 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

Section  3.  The  Chairman  for  the  time  being  of  said  Committee  Chairman 

of  Arbitration  shall  have  power  to  administer  the  oath  to  all  wit-  ^wer  to*ad- 

nesses  produced  before  said  Committee  in  matters  of  controversy  S^uess^'** 
submitted  to  said  Committee. 

Section  4.  This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately. 
AN  ACT 

TO  AMEND  THE  CHARTER  OF  THE  CORPORATION  OF  THE  CHAMBER 
OF  COMMERCE  OF  THE  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK. 

Passed  April  6th,  1878. 

The  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows: 

Section  i.  The  Corporation  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of     chamber  of 

the  State  of  New  York,  re-incorporated  by  an  act  of  the  Legisla-  ^°,^v^*from 

ture  of  the  State  of  New  York,  passed  on  the  13th  day  of  April,  sutesyw  l^y 

1784,  is  hereby  empowered  to  take  and  receive  from  the  United  ^°^"^°J 

States  of  America,  or  from  any  Corporation,  or  from  any  person,  or  personal  es- 

persons,  any  real  or  personal  estate,  also  to  take  by  devise  or  pur-  convey  or  lease 
chase  any  real  or  personal  estate,  for  the  purposes  of  said  Corpora-     *  ^*™*' 
tion,  and  to  convey,  lease  or  mortgage  the  same,  or  any  part  thereof,      income  of 

the  net  annual  income  of  which  real  estate  shall  not  exceed  one  tLte*^not  to  S- 

hundred  thousand  dollars.  ^anSlS:*^ 

Section  2.  It  shall  be  lawful  for  the  said  Corporation  to  elect, 
from  among  its  members,  at  its  first  meeting  called  for  the  purpose 
after  the  passage  of  this  act,  six  Trustees,  who,  with  the  Presi-     Election  of  a 
dent  of  said  Corporation,  shall  constitute  a  Board,  and  have  the  tees, 
charge  and  control  of  the  real  estate  of  said  Corporation;   said 
Trustees,  at  said  first  election,  shall  be  classified  so  that  two  of     Trustees  to 
them  be  elected  for  one  year;  two  of  them  for  two  years;  and  two  of  real esute.  and 
them  for  three  years;  and  at  each  annual  election  after  the  first,  ^°^ 
two  Trustees  shall  be  elected  to  fill  the  class  of  those  whose  terms 


248 


APPENDIX 


expire;  and  said  Corporation,  at  any  regular  meeting  of  the 
Chamber,  shall  have  power  to  fill  any  vacancy  in  said  Board  of 
Trustees. 


Conveyances, 
Mortgages, 
Leases  and 
Contracts  au- 
thorized by 
Trustees  under 
seal  of  the  Cor- 
po  rati  on,  at- 
tested by  Presi- 
dent and  Sec- 
retary. 


Section  3.  All  conveyances,  mortgages,  leases  or  contracts,  of, 
or  affecting,  any  real  estate  of  said  Corporation,  shall  be  author- 
ized by  said  Board  of  Trustees,  and  President  of  the  Chamber,  or 
of  a  majority  thereof;  and  shall,  when  so  authorized,  be  executed 
under  the  seal  of  the  Corporation,  attested  by  the  signatures  of 
the  President  and  Secretary  of  the  Chamber. 

Section  4.  This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately. 


IV 

BY-LAWS 

By-Laws  of  the  Corporation  of  the  Chamber  op  Commerce 
OF  the  State  of  New  York,  in  Force  May,  191 7 

Article  I 

OFFICERS  AND  THEIR  ELECTION 

The  officers  of  the  Chamber  shall  be  a  President,  twelve  Vice- 
Presidents,  a  Treasurer,  an  Executive  Officer  and  a  Secretary,  all  of 
whom  shall  be  chosen  by  ballot,  and  a  majority  of  the  votes  cast  at 
each  election  shall  be  necessary  in  each  instance  to  elect. 

At  the  first  regular  meeting  in  May,  1894,  all  of  the  foregoing 
Officers  shall  be  chosen,  and  they  shall  hold  office  for  one  year,  ex- 
cept as  hereinafter  provided. 

As  soon  as  convenient  after  the  election  aforesaid,  the  Vice- 
Presidents  so  elected  shall  meet  and  divide  into  four  classes,  by  al- 
lotment, of  three  to  each  class.  The  first  class  to  serve  for  one 
year;  the  second  class  for  two  years;  the  third  class  for  three 
years,  and  the  fourth  class  for  four  years;  after  the  expiration  of 
their  respective  terms  of  office  they  shall  be  inehgible  for  re-elec- 
tion until  one  year  has  intervened. 

At  the  first  regular  meeting  in  May,  1895,  and  annually  there- 
after, there  shall  be  chosen  a  President,  a  Treasurer,  an  Executive 
Officer  and  a  Secretary,  to  serve  for  one  year,  and  three  Vice-Presi- 
dents, to  serve  for  the  term  of  four  years,  in  place  of  those  whose 
terms  of  office  shall  then  expire. 

All  persons  elected  to  office  shall  take  the  oath  or  affimnation 
required  by  the  Charter,  and  shall  continue  in  office  as  above  pro- 
vided, or  imtil  their  successors  shall  have  become  duly  qualified 
according  to  the  Charter. 

Should  any  person  so  elected  decline  to  serve,  or  resign  his  office, 
or  his  office  become  vacant  by  his  death,  or  disability,  the  vacancy 
shall  be  filled  by  an  election  at  the  next  regular  or  any  subsequent 
meeting  of  the  Chamber,  held  after  such  declination  or  resigna- 
tion shall  have  been  reported  to  the  Chamber. 

249 


250  APPENDIX 

No  person  shall  hold  the  ofl&ce  of  President  for  more  than  three 
successive  yearly  terms,  unless  he  shall  be  re-elected  by  a  vote  of 
three-fourths  of  the  ballots  cast  at  the  election;  and  the  same  vote 
shall  be  necessary  for  each  succeeding  re-election  of  the  same 
person  to  the  same  office  thereafter. 

Article  II 

MEETINGS 

The  regular  meetings  of  the  Chamber  for  the  transaction  of 
business  shall  be  held  in  the  Hall  of  the  Chamber  on  the  first 
Thursday  in  each  month,  (the  stmuner  vacation  only  excepted,) 
at  twelve  o'clock  noon.  When  the  first  Thursday  in  any  month 
shall  fall  on  a  legal  hoUday,  the  regvdar  monthly  meeting  shall  be 
held  on  the  Thursday  following,  unless  otherwise  ordered  by  a 
vote  of  the  Chamber. 

Special  meetings  may  be  held  at  such  other  places,  and  at  such 
other  times  as  the  President,  or,  in  his  absence,  one  of  the  Vice- 
Presidents,  according  to  seniority,  may  designate,  upon  the  written 
requisition  of  ten  members;  provided  that  one  day's  notice  of  the 
time,  place  and  object  of  the  meeting  shall  have  been  pubHcly 
given;  and  also  provided,  that  no  other  business  except  that  desig- 
nated in  such  call  and  notice  shall  be  acted  upon. 

Article  III 

MEMBERS  AND  THEIR  ELECTION 

No  persons  shall  be  admitted  members  of  this  Corporation  but 
merchants  or  others  resident  of  this  or  contiguous  States  engaged 
in  trade  or  commerce,  or  in  pursuits  directly  connected  therewith. 

All  nominations  for  membership  of  the  Chamber  must  be  made 
in  writing,  signed  by  one  member,  seconded  by  another  member, 
together  with  a  statement  of  the  occupation  and  qualification  of 
the  candidate,  and  be  addressed  to  the  Executive  Committee  for 
consideration. 

If  the  Executive  Committee  approve  the  nomination,  they  shall 
report  the  same  to  the  Chamber  at  the  first  regular  meeting  there- 
after. The  candidate  shall  be  then  balloted  for;  and  if  five  or 
more  negative  ballots  appear,  he  cannot  be  admitted  a  member, 
nor  be  again  proposed  imtil  after  the  expiration  of  a  year  from  the 
time  of  such  rejection. 


APPENDIX  251 

The  Chamber  may  expel  any  member  for  dishonorable  conduct 
or  dealings,  but  only  after  a  hearing  of  such  member  at  a  regular 
meeting,  and  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  members  present.  Pro- 
vided, that  the  Executive  Committee  shall  have  recommended 
such  expulsion,  and  that  due  notice  be  given  by  the  Secretary  of  the 
Chamber,  both  to  the  accused  member  and  to  the  Chamber  at 
large,  of  the  day  when  such  hearing  may  be  had;  and  also  provided, 
that  if  the  accused  member  do  not  appear  for  such  hearing,  in  per- 
son or  by  proxy,  the  vote  may  be  taken  on  his  expulsion  as  though 
he  had  appeared. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Chamber  shall  furnish  to  each  member  who 
may  apply  therefor,  and  who  shall  have  paid  his  admission  or 
annual  fees,  an  engraved  certificate  of  membership,  duly  signed 
and  authenticated. 

There  shall  be  two  classes  of  members;  resident,  who  reside  or 
do  business  in  the  City  of  New  York;  all  others  shall  be  classed  as 
non-resident. 

When  the  number  of  the  former  shall  have  reached  two  thou- 
sand, (exclusive  of  Honorary  members,)  and  that  of  the  latter  two 
hundred  and  fifty,  no  more  shall  thereafter  be  admitted,  except  to 
fill  vacancies. 

Article  IV 

HONORARY  MEMBERS 

Honorary  members  may  be  elected  at  any  meeting  of  the  Cham- 
ber, whether  regular  or  special,  on  the  nomination  of  the  Executive 
Committee,  and  without  ballot,  unless  called  for.  They  shall  be 
entitled  to  all  the  privileges  of  regular  members,  and  be  exempt 
from  payment  of  any  fees  whatever. 

The  Secretary  shall  furnish  each  honorary  member,  thus  elected, 
with  a  certificate  of  membership,  duly  signed  and  authenticated. 


Article  V 

FEES 

Each  member  elected  to  the  Chamber  shall  pay  a  fee  of  fifty 
dollars,  which  shall  be  in  full  for  all  dues  imtil  the  first  of  January 
next  succeeding  his  election,  and  thereafter  shall  pay  an  annual  fee 
of  fifty  dollars  on  the  first  of  January  in  each  year.    For  members 


252  APPENDIX 

not  residing  or  doing  business  in  the  City  of  New  York  the  fee  shall 
be  one-half  the  above  amounts,  payable  in  like  manner. 

Every  new  member  shall  pay  upon  election  an  initiation  fee  of 
fifty  dollars. 

The  Executive  Committee  may,  in  its  discretion,  for  reasons  satis- 
factory to  itself,  remit  the  annual  dues  of  any  member;  and  it  may 
accept  the  resignation  of  any  member,  at  any  time,  if  the  annual 
fees  of  such  member,  to  the  date  of  such  resignation,  shall  have  been 
paid  or  remitted. 

If  the  fees  of  any  member  remain  unpaid  for  a  term  of  two  years, 
the  name  of  such  defaulting  member  may  be  stricken  from  the  rolls 
of  the  Chamber  by  order  of  the  Executive  Committee. 

Article  VI 

DUTIES  OF  OFFICERS 

Of  the  President. — ^The  President  shall  exercise  a  general  super- 
vision of  the  affairs  and  interests  of  the  Chamber.  He  shall  pre- 
side at  all  meetings  of  the  Chamber,  regular  and  special,  and  all 
motions  of  business  and  adjournment  shall  be  addressed  to  him. 
He  shall  appoint  all  Special  Committees,  except  where  the  Cham- 
ber shall  otherwise  order.  He  shall  sign  all  of&cial  documents  of 
the  Chamber.  He  shall  countersign  the  annual  accounts  of  the 
Treasurer,  when  duly  audited.  He  shall  call  special  meetings  of 
the  Chamber,  on  the  written  requisition  of  not  less  than  ten  men- 
bers,  stating  the  object  thereof,  and  shall  designate  the  time  and 
place  at  which  such  special  meeting  may  be  held,  3,nd  direct  the 
due  notification  thereof. 

Of  the  Vice-Presidents. — ^The  Vice-Presidents,  in  the  order  of 
seniority,  shall,  in  the  absence  of  the  President,  have  the  same 
power  and  authority  as  the  President. 

Of  the  Treasurer. — ^The  Treasurer  shall  have  the  charge  of  all 
moneys  collected  or  received  for  the  use  of  the  Chamber,  except 
money  arising  from  or  in  any  way  connected  with  its  real  estate,  or 
appropriated  for,  or  received  to  acquire  or  improve  the  same.  He 
shall  disburse  the  same  whenever  not  otherwise  provided  for  by 
these  by-laws,  only  upon  the  written  warrants  of  the  Executive 
Committee.  He  shall  keep  books  of  account  of  all  receipts  and 
disbursements,  and  the  vouchers  therefor,  in  the  usual  form,  and 
shall  produce  a  copy  of  the  same,  fairly  stated,  for  the  inspection  of 


APPENDIX  253 

the  members,  at  each  amiiial  meeting.  Such  a  copy  of  accounts 
shall  be  duly  audited  by  auditors  appointed  for  the  purpose  by  the 
Chamber,  and  be  signed  by  them  and  coimtersigned  by  the  Presi- 
dent, on  or  before  the  Tuesday  next  preceding  the  annual  meeting. 
The  Treasurer  shall  deliver  over  to  his  successor  the  cash  remaining 
in  his  hands,  as  also  any  certificates  of  stock  or  other  securities, 
the  property  of  this  Chamber,  together  with  the  books  of  account, 
chest  and  key,  and  may  require  a  receipt  therefor.  In  the  absence 
of  the  Treasurer-elect,  the  same  shall  be  delivered  to  the  President. 
In  the  absence  of  the  Treasurer,  the  Chairman  of  the  Executive 
Committee  shall  perform  the  duties  assigned  to  the  Treasurer. 

Of  the  Executive  Officer. — ^The  Executive  Officer  shall  have  the 
supervision  and  representation  of  the  Chamber  in  its  correspon- 
dence, pubUcity  work  and  external  relations. 

He  shall  have  charge,  under  the  general  guidance  of  the  Execu- 
tive Committee,  of  the  pubUcations  of  the  Chamber,  such  as  the 
Monthly  Bulletin,  special  reports,  and  the  Annual  Report,  and  in 
general  shall  have  the  editing  of  all  documents  that  are  to  be  pub- 
lished or  to  be  given  to  the  Press. 

He  shall,  as  far  as  is  practicable,  be  in  attendance  at  the  meetings 
of  the  Standing  and  Special  Committees,  and  when  desired,  assist 
in  their  deUberations. 

He  shall  give  all  of  his  time  to  the  business  of  the  Chamber. 

He  shall  conduct  researches  and  assist  the  Chamber  and  its  Com- 
mittees in  obtaining  complete  information  on  all  subjects  upon 
which  they  may  be  called  upon  to  report  and  act,  and  shall  keep 
constant  watch  for  those  subjects  and  opportunities  for  usefulness 
which  may  fall  within  the  general  scope  of  the  Chamber's  activities 
and  direct  the  attention  of  the  Officers  and  Chairmen  of  the  vari- 
ous committees  thereto. 

In  the  absence  of  the  Secretary  he  shall  act  in  his  place  and  shall 
exercise  his  powers. 

Of  the  Secretary. — ^The  Secretary  shall  devote  himself  entirely  to 
the  affairs  of  the  Chamber.  He  shall  be  the  custodian  of  the  Hall 
and  other  rooms,  and  other  property  of  the  Chamber,  except  its 
real  estate,  and  shall  have  the  general  care  of  the  fimiiture,  Ubrary, 
pictiures,  portraits,  and  of  all  dociunents  and  correspondence  be- 
longing to  the  Corporation.  He  shall  keep  such  property  insured 
against  fire.  He  shall  attend  all  meetings,  and  keep  a  fair  and 
correct  register  of  all  proceedings,  rules  and  regulations  of  the 
Chamber,  which  shall  be  regularly  entered  in  the  book  of  minutes, 


254  APPENDIX 

after  the  ancient  usage.  He  shall  also  attend  upon  and  keep  min- 
utes of  the  proceedings  of  the  Executive  and  other  Standing  Com- 
mittees, and  shall  assist  the  Special  Committees  as  far  as  in  his 
power.  He  shall  have  charge  of  the  office  staff  and  shall  see  that  all 
officers  and  Committees  of  the  Chamber  are  furnished  with  such 
clerical  assistance  as  they  may  need.  He  shall,  imder  direction 
of  the  President,  conduct  the  correspondence  of  the  Chamber,  as 
related  to  its  internal  and  local  administration.  He  shall  duly 
notify  members  of  their  election,  sign  all  documents  jointly  with 
the  President,  and  have  the  custody  of  the  seal  of  the  Chamber 
for  their  proper  authentication.  He  shall  give  due  notice  of  all 
meetings,  both  regular  and  special.  When  neither  the  President, 
nor  any  of  the  Vice-Presidents  is  present  at  any  meeting  regularly 
called,  the  Secretary  shall,  after  reasonable  delay,  adjourn  the 
meeting  sine  die. 

He  shall  see  to  the  collection  of  all  dues  from  members,  and 
regularly  return  the  same  to  the  Treasurer,  and  shall  render  him 
all  required  assistance  in  the  clerical  part  of  his  duties. 

An  Assistant  Secretary  may  be  appointed  by  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee. He  shall  assist  the  Secretary  in  the  performance  of  his 
duties,  and  in  the  Secretary's  absence  act  in  his  place.  He  shall 
hold  office  during  the  pleasure  of  the  Committee. 

Article  VH 
board  of  trustees  of  the  real  estate 

Election. — ^At  each  annual  meeting  of  the  Chamber  there  shall  be 
elected  from  among  the  members  two  trustees  for  a  term  of  three 
years,  to  fill  the  vacancies  of  those  whose  term  of  office  will  then 
expire.  The  six  trustees  so  elected  shall,  with  the  President,  con- 
stitute a  Board,  and  have  charge  and  control  of  the  real  estate  of 
the  Corporation.  Any  vacancies  in  said  Board  otherwise  occurring 
shall  be  filled  at  the  next  regular  or  any  subsequent  meeting  of  the 
Chamber. 

Powers  and  Duties. — ^The  President  of  the  Chamber  shall  be  the 
Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  ex-officio,  and  said  Board  may 
elect  a  Treasurer  and  a  Secretary,  and  appoint  such  other  assis- 
tants as  it  may  require.  The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  have  the 
custody,  control  and  management  of  all  real  estate  of  the  Corpora- 
tion, and  of  all  funds  and  other  property  appropriated  or  received 


APPENDIX  255 

for  the  purchase,  improvement,  or  any  other  purpose  affecting  real 
estate,  and  shall  have  full  power  in  the  name  of  the  Chamber  to 
contract  for  and  acquire  such  real  estate  as  it  may  deem  wise, 
and  to  improve  the  same  by  demolition,  alteration  or  erection 
of  buildings  or  otherwise,  adopt  plans,  modify  the  same  from  time 
to  time,  and  make  all  appropriate  contracts  therefor  and  for  the 
management  of  said  real  estate.  The  Board  may  provide  for  such 
compensation  to  its  appointees  and  assistants  as  it  may  deem  wise, 
and  pay  the  same  from  any  funds  in  its  control.  No  sale  or  mort- 
gage of  the  real  estate  shall  be  made,  except  by  authority  of  the 
Chamber  by  resolution  adopted  at  a  regular  meeting  or  special 
meeting  called  for  that  purpose.  All  conveyances,  mortgages, 
leases  or  contracts  of,  or  affecting  the  real  estate  of  the  Chamber, 
shall  be  authorized  by  said  Board  and  the  President,  or  a  majority 
thereof,  and  shall,  when  so  authorized,  be  executed  under  the 
seal  of  the  Corporation,  attested  by  the  signatures  of  the  President 
and  Secretary  of  the  Chamber. 

The  Hall  shall  be  used  exclusively  for  meetings  of  the  Chamber, 
unless  consent  for  other  temporary  use  be  given  by  a  two-thirds 
vote  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Real  Estate  and  the  President 
of  the  Chamber  at  a  regular  meeting  or  special  meeting  called  for 
that  purpose. 

The  Board  shall  annually,  and  from  time  to  time  as  it  deems  wise, 
make  reports  to  the  Chamber. 

The  Board  is  authorized  and  empowered  in  the  name  of  the 
Chamber  to  execute,  issue  and  deliver  certificates  of  indebtedness 
for  subscriptions  to  the  building  fund  received  under  letter  of  the 
Building  Conmiittee  of  May  7th,  1897,  or  under  any  other  plan  for 
providing  funds  to  erect  a  building  for  the  use  of  the  Chamber, 
which  certificates  shall  be  of  such  form  and  contain  such  provisions 
as  the  Board  may  from  time  to  time  prescribe. 

The  Board  is  authorized  and  empowered  to  receive  from  the 
Treasurer  of  the  Chamber  all  gifts  and  bequests  of  money  or  se- 
curities given  to  the  Chamber  in  trust  in  the  way  of  endowment  or 
otherwise,  for  any  object  connected  with  the  operations  of  the 
Chamber,  except  the  Charity  Fimd,  and  to  invest,  control,  manage 
and  disburse  the  same  as  provided  by  the  donors  thereof. 

Dviies  of  Officers. — ^The  President  shall  preside  at  the  meetings 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees  when  present,  and  shall  perform  the  usual 
duties  of  that  oflSce.  The  Secretary  shall  keep  true  and  careful 
minutes  of  the  meetings,  and  perform  such  other  duties  as  shall  be 


2S6  APPENDIX 

assigned  to  him  by  the  Board;  the  Treasurer  shall  be  the  custodian 
of  all  funds  under  control  of  the  Board,  shall  collect  and  receive  all 
money  arising  from  rents  or  otherwise,  make  such  disbursements 
and  payments  as  the  Board  shall  direct,  and  keep  accurate  books  of 
account  therefor.  All  cheques  against  said  fimds  shall  be  signed 
by  the  Treasurer  and  President,  (or,  in  his  absence,  the  senior  mem- 
ber of  the  Board,)  and  appropriate  vouchers  shall  be  taken  for  all 
disbursements.  The  Treasurer  shall,  under  the  direction  of  the 
Board,  be  the  general  manager  of  the  real  estate. 

Article  VIII 

STANDING  COMMITTEES 

The  Standing  Committees  of  the  Chamber  shall  be 

An  Executive  Committee,  which  shall  consist  of  a  Chairman  to 
be  elected  by  the  Chamber  at  the  regular  Annual  Meeting  in  May 
of  each  year,  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Finance  and  Cur- 
rency, the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Commerce  and 
the  Revenue  Laws,  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Internal 
Trade  and  Improvements,  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the 
Harbor  and  Shipping,  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  In- 
surance, the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  State  and  Municipal 
Taxation,  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Arbitration,  the 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Commercial  Education,  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Chamber,  the  senior  Vice-President,  the  Treasurer  and 
the  Ex-Presidents  of  the  Chamber. 

A  Conunittee  on  Finance  and  Currency. 

A  Committee  on  Foreign  Commerce  and  the  Revenue  Laws. 

A  Committee  on  Internal  Trade  and  Improvements. 

A  Committee  on  the  Harbor  and  Shipping. 

A  Committee  on  Insurance. 

A  Committee  on  State  and  Municipal  Taxation. 

A  Committee  on  the  Charity  Fimd  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

A  Committee  on  Arbitration. 

A  Committee  on  Commercial  Education. 

Each  of  these  Standing  Committees,  except  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee, shall  consist  of  a  Chairman  and  six  members,  who  shall  be 
elected  at  the  regular  annual  May  meeting.  The  Chairman  shall 
continue  in  office  during  the  pleasure  of  the  Chamber.  The  mem- 
bers shall  be  elected  for  a  term  of  three  years,  except  at  the  election 
held  in  1902,  when  six  members  shall  be  elected,  two  for  a  term  of 


APPENDIX  257 

one  year,  two  for  a  term  of  two  years,  and  two  for  a  term  of  three 
years.  No  member  of  a  Standing  Committee,  except  the  Executive 
Committee,  shall  be  eligible  for  re-election  to  the  same  Committee 
imtil  one  year  from  the  expiration  of  his  term.  Vacancies  occur- 
ring in  any  Committee  may  be  filled  at  any  regular  meeting  of  the 
Chamber. 

Three  members  of  any  Committee  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for 
the  transaction  of  business. 

Article  DC 

DUTIES  OF  STANDING  COMMITTEES 

Of  the  Executive  Committee. — ^The  Executive  Committee  shall, 
under  the  direction  of  the  Chamber,  have  a  general  control  of  the 
property  and  affairs  of  the  Chamber.  It  shall  act  as  an  advisory 
committee  to  the  Secretary,  and  direct  the  preparation  of  the 
Annual  Report  of  the  Chamber.  It  shall  audit  all  bills  and  claims 
against  the  Corporation  and  direct  their  payment,  if  approved, 
except  bills  for  salaries  and  rent,  which  shall  be  approved  by  the 
President,  and  paid  upon  his  order,  or  that  of  one  of  the  Vice-Presi- 
dents, in  his  absence,  and  except  all  bills  affecting  the  real  estate  or 
fimds  imder  control  of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  It  shall  fix  the 
amoimt  of  all  salaries  and  compensation  for  service.  The  Execu- 
tive Committee  shall  submit  at  the  regular  meeting  preceding  the 
annual  election  the  names  of  seven  members  for  appointment  by 
the  Chamber  to  nominate  Officers  and  Standing  Committees  for 
election  to  serve  for  the  ensuing  year.  It  shall  have  power  to  accept 
resignations  and  remit  fees  as  hereinbefore  provided  by  Article  V. 

Upon  the  complaint  by  any  member  charging  dishonorable  con- 
duct or  dealings  on  the  part  of  any  other  member,  it  may,  in  its 
discretion,  report  the  complaint  to  tiie  Chamber,  with  recommenda- 
tion to  expel  the  offending  member,  but  not  otherwise;  always  pro- 
vided that  it  give  to  the  member  complained  of  an  opportimity 
for  a  hearing,  either  in  person  or  by  proxy,  before  making  such 
report. 

Of  the  Committee  on  the  Charity  Fund. — ^This  Committee  shall 
take  charge  of  the  moneys  and  securities  received  from  Mrs.  John 
C.  Green,  and  from  any  other  soiu-ce,  for  benevolent  purposes, 
and  invest  and  re-invest  the  same  from  time  to  time,  and  shall  have 
power  to  make  distribution  of  the  income  thereof  among  those  in- 
tended to  be  benefited.    The  Committee  shall  have  power  to  fill 


258  APPENDIX 

any  vacancies  that  may  occur  in  their  number  by  death,  resignation 
or  otherwise. 

Of  the  Committee  on  Arbitration. — ^This  Committee  shall  have 
complete  supervision  of  all  matters  of  arbitration  referred  to  the 
Chamber  and  shall  make  rules  and  regulations  for  the  conduct  and 
disposition  of  all  matters  submitted  in  arbitration;  it  shall  provide 
a  form  of  agreement  not  inconsistent  with  existing  provisions  of 
law  by  which,  so  far  as  practicable,  the  decision  of  the  arbitrator 
or  arbitrators  shall  become  as  effective  as  a  judgment  of  the  Su- 
preme Court. 

It  shall  compile  and  from  time  to  time  revise  and  keep  a  list  of 
quaUfied  persons,  not  less  than  fifty,  willing  to  act  as  arbitrators 
under  these  rules,  who  shall  be  members  of  the  Chamber.  This 
list  shall  be  known  as — "The  List  of  Opficial  Arbitrators" 
of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

Any  matter  in  controversy  may  be  referred  by  the  disputants 
signing  the  form  of  agreement  provided  by  the  Conunittee,  together 
with  a  stipulation  to  the  effect  that  they  will  abide  by  the  decision 
of  the  arbitrator  or  arbitrators,  by  them  selected,  and  waiving  any 
and  all  right  to  withdraw  from  such  submission  after  the  acceptance 
of  their  appointment  by  their  arbitrator  or  arbitrators  selected, 
and  designating  at  their  option  either 

(a.)  One  of  the  persons  named  in  said  "List  of  Official  Arbitra- 
tors," who  shall  act  as  sole  arbitrator;  or 

(b.)  Any  two  persons  to  act  as  arbitrators,  who  in  turn  shall 
designate  from  said  "List  of  OflScial  Arbitrators"  a  third  person  to 
be  associated  with  them  as  arbitrators;  or 

(c.)  The  Committee  on  Arbitration  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce or  a  quonma  thereof. 

In  any  case  the  Committee  on  Arbitration  may,  in  its  discretion, 
decUne  to  entertain  a  matter  submitted  for  arbitration,  in  which 
event  the  selection  of  special  Arbitrator  or  Arbitrators  shall  be  void. 

The  Committee  on  Arbitration  shall,  from  time  to  time,  estabhsh 
a  schedule  of  moderate  fees  to  be  paid  in  all  matters  submitted, 
which  fees  shall  be  chargeable  as  decided  by  the  arbitrators. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  shall  be  the  Clerk 
of  the  Committee  on  Arbitration. 

OF   OTHER  STANDING  COMMITTEES 

Their  duties  shall  be  to  examine  into  and  make  report  upon  such 
subjects  as  may  be  referred  to  them  by  the  Chamber,  or  tiiey  may 


APPENDIX  259 

originate  and  report  to  the  Chamber  such  views  as  they  may  deem 
proper  for  its  consideration. 

They  shall,  respectively,  keep  regular  minutes  of  their  meetings 
and  proceedings,  in  which  the  Secretary  shall  give  them  all  re- 
quired assistance,  and  they  shall  make  an  annual  written  report  to 
the  Chamber  at  its  regular  annual  May  meeting. 

Article  X 

OF  ELECTION  OF  SPECIAL  OFFICERS  UNDER  THE  LAWS  OF  THE  STATE 

The  Chamber  shall  elect,  in  conformity  with  the  laws  of  the  State, 
the  following  named  officers: 

Commissioners  of  Pilots. — ^There  shall  be  elected  by  ballot,  to 
serve  for  two  years,  at  a  special  meeting  called  for  tiie  purpose, 
three  members  of  the  Chamber  to  act  as  Commissioners  of  Pilots. 
Whenever  any  vacancy  shall  occur  by  death,  resignation  or  other- 
wise, of  either  of  such  Commissioners  so  elected,  tlie  vacancy  shall 
be  filled  at  a  special  meeting  of  the  Chamber,  and  the  term  of  ser- 
vice of  the  member  so  elected  shall  date  from  the  day  of  such  elec- 
tion, [as  by  law  of  the  State  of  New  York,  passed  June  28, 18^3]. 

Commissioner  for  Licensing  Sailors*  Boarding  Houses  or  Hotels. — 
There  shall  be  elected  by  ballot,  to  serve  for  one  year,  at  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  Chamber  in  May,  a  member  of  the  Chamber  to  act 
as  Commissioner  for  Licensing  Sailors'  Boarding  Houses  or  Hotels 
in  the  Cities  of  New  York  and  Brooklyn,  [as  by  law  of  the  State  of 
New  York,  passed  March  21,  i866\. 

Whenever  any  vacancy  shall  occur  in  the  above  named  offices  by 
death,  resignation  or  otherwise,  except  in  that  of  the  Commissioners 
of  Pilots,  the  same  shall  be  filled  at  the  regular  meeting  of  the  Cham- 
ber next  following. 

Article  XI 

QUORUM  AND  ADJOURNMENT 

Twenty-five  members  of  the  Chamber,  of  which  nimiber  the 
President  or  one  of  the  Vice-Presidents  must  always  be  one,  shall 
be  necessary  to  form  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business,  or 
to  ballot  for  members. 

In  case  a  quonun  shall  not  be  present  at  the  time  fixed  for  any 
r^ular  meeting  of  the  Chamber,  the  President,  or,  in  his  absence, 
the  senior  Vice-President  present,  may  adjourn  the  meeting  to 


26o  APPENDIX 

such  other  day  in  the  same  month  as  he  may  judge  proper;  but  m 
case  there  be  no  quorum  present  at  the  time  fixed  for  any  special 
meeting,  such  adjournment  shall  not  be  made,  except  by  consent 
of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present. 

If  there  fail  to  be  a  quorum  from  the  absence  of  the  prescribed 
officers,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  to  declare  the  meeting 
adjourned  sine  die. 

Article  XII 

rules  of  order 

At  all  regular  meetings  of  the  Chamber,  the  regular  order  of 
business  shall  be: 

1.  Reading  of  the  minutes. 

2.  Report  of  the  Executive  Committee  on  nominations  for 
membership. 

3.  Ballot  for  members. 

4.  Report  of  the  Executive  Committee. 

5.  Reports  of  Standing  Committees,  in  their  order. 

6.  Report  of  Trustees  of  Real  Estate. 

7.  Reports  of  Special  Committees. 

8.  Unfinished  business. 

9.  New  business. 

Members  having  any  motion  or  remarks  to  make  shall  rise  and 
address  the  Chair.  All  resolutions  or  propositions,  of  whatever 
nature,  must  be  reduced  to  writing  before  they  can  be  entertained. 
The  time  to  be  taken  by  any  member  in  debate  may  be  limited  by 
the  presiding  officer  at  the  request  of  the  Chamber.  Each  mem- 
ber shall  be  entitled  to  the  floor,  without  interruption,  for  such 
time  as  may  be  allowed  to  him.  Where  reports  of  Committees  are 
submitted  to  debate,  the  Chairman  of  the  Conmiittee  introducing 
such  report  may  open  and  close  the  debate. 

At  special  meetings  called  to  hear  and  consider  reports  of  Com- 
mittees ordered  by  the  Chamber,  no  new  propositions  or  resolu- 
tions in  the  nature  of  substitutes,  (except  the  report  of  the  minority 
of  the  Committee,  if  any,)  shall  be  introduced  or  debated  until  after 
final  action  shall  have  been  taken  upon  the  report  of  such  Com- 
mittee; when,  if  it  be  rejected,  such  new  propositions  or  resolu- 
tions may  be  entertained,  but  no  business  other  than  that  named  in 
the  requisition  and  call  for  the  special  meeting  shall  be  entertained, 
even  though  unanimous  consent  be  had. 


APPENDIX  261 

Members  having  appeared  in  the  Chamber  shall  not  withdraw 
previous  to  adjournment,  except  by  permission  from  the  President. 

Whenever  any  resolution  shall  be  proposed  in  the  Chamber 
which  calls  for  the  immediate  expression  of  its  opinion  or  action 
touching  any  public  matter,  and  if  the  same  be  objected  to  by  any 
member  present,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President  to  state  the 
objection,  and  to  call  upon  those  who  sustain  the  same  to  rise,  and 
if  one-fourth  of  the  members  present  rise  in  support  of  such  objec- 
tion, then  such  resolution  shall  be  referred  to  a  Standing  or  Special 
Committee,  who  shall  report  thereon  at  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Chamber;  and  upon  the  presentation  of  such  report,  the  same,  and 
the  original  resolution,  and  the  subject  referred  to,  may  then  be 
acted  upon  without  further  right  of  such  objection. 

Article  XDI 

privileges  of  strangers 

Members  may,  by  ticket,  introduce  to  the  Rooms  of  the  Cham- 
ber and  the  use  of  the  Library,  Newspapers  and  Magazines,  any 
stranger,  and  such  ticket  shall  be  available  for  one  mon^  from  date. 

Article  XIV 

POWERS  OF  delegations 

Delegations  or  Committees,  which  may  be  appointed  by  this 
Chamber  at  any  time  to  represent  it  at  any  meeting  of  Chambers  of 
Commerce  or  Boards  of  Trade,  or  at  any  other  Convention,  meeting 
or  Assembly  whatever,  shall  have  no  authority,  by  virtue  of  such 
appointment,  to  bind  this  Corporation  to  concur  in  the  action  of 
any  such  body;  but  such  Delegations  or  Committees  shall  report 
to  the  Chamber  all  propositions  or  actions  of  such  body  for  its 
concurrence  or  dissent. 

Article  XV 

All  proposed  amendments  to  the  By-Laws  shall  be  submitted  in 
writing,  at  a  regular  meeting  of  the  Chamber;  but  no  such  amend- 
ments shall  be  acted  upon  before  the  next  regular  meeting. 


V 


OFFICERS  OF  THE  CHAMBER 

Officers  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  from  Its 
Organization,  1768 


presidents 


ELECTED 


retired 


1768.  John  Cruger 1770 

1770.  Hugh  Wallace 1771 

1771.  Elias  Desbrosses 1772 

1772.  Henry  White 1773 

1773.  Theophylact  Bache.  1774 

1774.  William  Walton. . . .  1775 

1775.  Isaac  Low 1784 

1784.  John  Alsop 1785 

1785.  John  Broome 1794 

1794.  Comfort  Sands 1798 

1798.  John  Murray 1806 

1806.  Cornelius  Ray 1819 

1819.  WUliam  Bayard. .. .  1827 

1827.  Robert  Lenox 1840 

1840.  Isaac  Carow 1842 

1842.  James  De  Peyster 

Ogden 1845 

1845.  James  G.  King 1847 

1847.  Moses  H.  Grinnell. .  1848 


elected 


RETIRED 


1848.  James  G.  King 1849 

1849.  Moses  H.  Grinnell. .  1852 

1852.  Elias  Hicks 1853 

1853.  Pelatiah  Pent 1863 

1863.    Abiel  A.  Low 1867 

1867.  William  E.  Dodge. .  1875 

1875.  Samuel  D.  Babcock.  1882 

1882.  George  W.  Lane. .  .  1883 

1884.  James  M.  Brown. . .  1887 

1887.  Charles  S.  Smith. . .  1894 

1894.  Alexander  E.  Orr. . .  1899 

1899.  Morris  K.  Jesup. , . .  1907 

1907,  J.  Edward  Simmons  1910 

1910.  A.  Barton  Hepburn.  191 2 

1912.    John  Claflin 1914 

1914.     Seth  Low 1916 

1916.  Eugenius  H.  Outer- 
bridge 


VICE-PRESIDENTS 


ELECTED 


RETIRED 


1768.  Hugh  Wallace 1770 

1770.  Elias  Desbrosses. .. .  1771 

1770.  Henry  White 1773 

1 77 1.  Theophylact  Bache.  1774 

1772.  William  Walton 1774 

1773.  Isaac  Low 1775 

1774'  John  Alsop 1779 

1775.  William  McAdam. .  1780 

1779.  Thomas  Buchannan  1783 


ELECTED  RETIRED 

1779.    Hugh  Wallace 1781 

1781.    Jacob  Walton 1783 

1783.    William  Walton 1784 

1783.  Gerard  Walton 1785 

1784.  Isaac  Sears 1785 

1785.  William  Constable. .  1788 
1785.  Pascal  M.  Smith.  .  .  -1788 
1788.  Theophylact  Bache.  1792 
1788.    John  Murray 1798 


262 


APPENDIX 


263 


ELECTED  RETIRED 

1792.  Gerard  Walton 1793 

1793.  Comfort  Sands 1794 

1794.  John  Blagge 1797 

1797.  John  B.  Coles 1817 

1798.  George  Barnewall. . .  1800 
1800.  Archibald  Grade. . .  1825 
1817.  William  Bayard. .. .  1819 

1819.  Robert  Lenox 1827 

1825.  William  W.  Woolsey  1839 

1827.  Isaac  Carow 1840 

1839.  James  Boorman. . . .  1841 

1840.  James  De  Peyster 

Ogden 1842 

1841.  James  G.  King  ....  1845 

1842.  Henry  K.  Bogert. .  .  1846 

1845.  Stewart  Brown 1847 

1846.  David  S.  Kennedy.,  1847 

1847.  Moses  H.  Grinnell. .  1847 

1847.  William  H.  Macy.. .  1849 

1848.  Moses  H.  Grinnell..  1849 

1849.  James  De  Peyster 

Ogden 1851 

1849.  Prosper  M.  Wetmore  1850 

1850.  Charles  H.  Russell. .  1852 

1851.  Elias  Hicks 1852 

1852.  Caleb  Barstow 1855 

1852.  Samuel  L.  Mitchill..  1854 

1854.  George  Curtiss 1856 

1855.  Royal  Phelps 1862 

1856.  Abiel  A.  Low 1863 

1863.  William  E.  Dodge. .  1867 
1863.  Jonathan  Sturges. . .  1867 
1867.  George  Opdyke.  .  .  .  1875 
1867.  Simeon  B.  Chitten- 
den   1869 

1869.  R.  Warren  Weston..  1870 

1870.  Walter  S.  Griffith...  1872 
1870.  William  M.  Ver- 

milye 1875 

1870.  Samuel  D.  Babcock.  1874 

1873.  Solon  Humphreys...  1874 

1875.  James  M.  Brown. . .  1884 

1875.  George  W.  Lane 1882 

1882.  William  H.  Fogg. . .  1884 


ELECTED 


RETIRED 


1884.  Charles  S.  Smith. . .  1887 

1884.  Josiah  M.  Fiske 1889 

1887.  Cornelius  N.  Bliss. .  1889 

1889.  Alexander  E.  Orr. . .  1894 

1889.  Morris  K.  Jesup 1898 

1894.  William  E.  Dodge 

(2d) 1895 

1894.  Cornelius  Vanderbilt  1895 

1894.  William  L.  Strong. .  1895 

1894.  John  Sloane 1896 

1894.  John  Crosby  Brown.  1896 

1894.  Richard  T.  Wilson. .  1896 

1894.  Cornelius  N.  Bliss. .  1897 

1894.  J.  Pierpont  Morgan.  1897 

1894.  WUUam  H.Webb...  1897 

1894,  J.  Edward  Simmons.  1898 

1894.  Horace  Porter 1898 

1895.  D.  Willis  James. .. .  1899 
1895.  John  A.  Stewart 1899 

1895.  John  Claflin 1899 

1896.  Henry  Hentz 1900 

1896.  Augustus  D.  Juil- 

liard 1900 

1896.  John  L.  Riker 1900 

1897.  Seth  Low 1901 

1897.  Woodbury  Langdon.  1901 

1897.  Anson  W.  Hard ... .  1901 

1898.  Abram  S.  Hewitt. . .  1902 
1898.  Charles  S.  Fairchild.  1902 

1898.  Jacob  H.  Schiff 1902 

1899.  J.  Edward  Simmons.  1903 
1899.  William  E.  Dodge 

(2d) 1903 

1899.  Levi  P.  Morton.  . . .  1903 

1900.  J.  Pierp)ont  Morgan.  1904 

1900.  John  D.  Rockefeller.  1904 
19CX).  Andrew  Carnegie. . .  1904 

1901.  John  T.  Terry 1905 

1 90 1.  James  T.  Woodward  1905 

1901.  John  Claflin 1905 

1902.  Whitelaw  Reid 1906 

1902.  Clement  A.  Griscom  1906 

1902.  Charles  Lanier 1906 

1903.  John  S.  Kennedy. . .  1907 


264 


APPENDIX 


ELECTED  RETIRED 

1903.    Alexander  J.  Cassatt  1906 

1903.  Marshall  Field 1906 

1904.  Chauncey  M.  De- 

pew 1908 

1904.     Vernon  H.  Brown. .  1908 

1904.  Isidor  Straus 1908 

1905.  Cornelius  N.  Bliss . .  1909 
1905.    William  Butler 

Duncan 1909 

1905.  Seth  Low 1909 

1906.  J.  Pierpont  Morgan.  1907 
1906.  John  Crosby  Brown  1909 
1906.    D.  Willis  James. . . .   1907 

1906.  William  Bayard 

Cutting 1910 

1907.  Joseph  H.  Choate. .  191 1 
1907.  Gustav  H.  Schwab.  191 1 
1907.     George  F.  Seward. .  1910 

1907.  Edward  King 1909 

1908.  Cleveland  H.  Dodge  191 2 
1908.    James  J.  Hill 1912 

1908.  George  F.  Baer 191 2 

1909.  Stewart  L.  Wood- 

ford   1910 

1909.  John  S.  Kennedy. . .  1909 

1909.  J.  Pierpont  Morgan.  1913 

1909.  Jacob  H.  Schiff 1913 

1910.  A.  Barton  Hepburn.  1910 
1910.  Cornelius  N.  Bliss . .  191 1 
1910.  Otto  T.  Bannard. . .  1914 


ELECTED  RETIRED 

910.  Arthur  Curtiss  James  1914 

910.  William  A,  Nash .. .   1913 

911.  John  Claflin 1912 

911.  A.  Foster  Higgins. . .   191 5 

911.  James  Talcott 1915 

911.  Philip  A.  S.  Frank- 

lin    1914 

912.  William  D.  Sloane. .  1915 
912.  John  I.  Waterbury. .  1916 
912.  T.  DeWitt  Cuyler. .   1916 

912.  Frank  K.  Sturgis. . .   1916 

913.  J.  Pierpont  Morgan 

(2d) 1917 

913.  Paul  M.  Warburg.  .    1914 

913.  George  B.  Cortelyou  191 7 

914.  Jacob  H.  Schiff 1917 

914.  James  G.  Cannon.  .   1916 

914.  Anton  A.  Raven, .. .   1918 

914.  William  Skinner. ...   191 8 

915.  Cleveland  H.  Dodge 
915.  Henry  Hentz 

915.  Eugene  Delano 

916.  Alfred  E.  Marling.  .   1918 
916.  Philip  A.  S.  Franklin 
916.  James  A.  Farrell .... 

916.  Samuel  Rea 

917.  Frank  K.  Sturgis. . . 
917.  Henry  P.  Davison. . 
917.  T.  DeWitt  Cuyler.. 


TREASURERS 


ELECTED  RETIRED 

1768.  Elias  Desbrosses. . . .  1770 

1770.  Theophylact  Bache.  1771 

1771.  William  Walton ... .  1772 

1772.  Isaac  Low 1773 

1773-    JohnAlsop 1774 

1774.  William  McAdam .. .  1775 

1775.  Charles  McEvers. . .   1780 
1780.    Robert  Ross  Wad- 
dell 1784 

1784.  John  Broome 1785 

1785.  Joshua  Sands 1789 


ELECTED  RETIRED 

1789.  Cornelius  Ray 1806 

1806.  Henry  I.  Wyckoff. ..  1839 

1840.  John  J.  Palmer 1858 

1858.  Augustus  E.  Silli- 

man i860 

i860.  Edward  C.  Bogert. .   1865 

1865.  Francis  S .  Lathrop . .   1878 

1878.  Solon  Humphreys. ..  1900 

1900.  James  G.  Cannon.. .   1908 

1908.  William  H.  Porter. . 


APPENDIX 


265 


SECRETARIES 


ELECTED                                      RETIRED 

ELECTED                                      RETIRED 

1768. 

Anthony  Van  Dam . 

1784 

1838. 

E.  A.  Boonen  Graves 

1841 

1784. 

John  Blagge 

1785 

1841. 

John  D.  Van  Buren. 

1843 

1785. 

Adam  Gilchrist,  Jr.. 

1786 

1843. 

John  L,  H.  Mc- 

1786. 

William  Shotwell. . . 

1787 

cracken 

1843 

1787. 

William  Laight 

1796 

1843. 

Prosper  M.  Wetmore 

1849 

1796. 

William  W.  Woolsey 

1801 

1849. 

Matthew  Maury.  .  . 

1853 

1 801. 

Jonathan  H.  Law- 

1853. 

Edward  C.  Bogert.. 

1859 

rence  

1803 

1859. 

Isaac  Smith  Homans 

1862 

1803. 

John  Ferrers 

1813 

1862. 

John  Austin  Stevens 

1868 

1817. 

John  Pintard 

1827 

1868. 

George  Wilson 

1908 

1827. 

John  A.  Stevens 

1832 

1908. 

Sereno  S.  Pratt 

1915 

1832. 

JohnR.  Hurd 

1834 

1915- 

Charles  T.  Gwynne. 

1834. 

Jacob  Harvey 

1838 

ASSISTANT  SECRETARIES 


ELECTED  RETIRED 

1909.    Charles  T.  Gwjoine.  191 5 


ELECTED  RETIRED 

1917.    Jere  D.  Tamblyn. . . 


EXECUTIVE  OFFICER 
ELECTED  RETIRED 

1915.    John  Franklin  Crowell 1917 


VI 


OFFICERS  AND  COMMITTEES  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OF 
COMMERCE  FOR  THE  YEAR  ENDING   MAY,   1918 

Elected  by  the  Chamber 
Eugenius  H.  Outerbridge,  President 


vice-presidents 


To  serve  until  May,  igi8 
Alfred  E.  Marling 
Anton  A.  Raven 
William  Skinner 

To  serve  until  May,  IQIQ 
Cleveland  H.  Dodge 
Henry  Hentz 
Eugene  Delano 


To  serve  until  May,  igzo 
Philip  A.  S.  Franklin 
James  A.  Farrell 
Samuel  Rea 

To  serve  until  May,  ig2i 
Frank  K.  Sturgis 
Henry  P.  Davison 
T.  De  Witt  Cuyler 


WiUiam  H.  Porter,  Treasurer 
Charles  T.  Gwynne,  Secretary 
Jere  D.  Tamblyn,  AssH  Secretary 


Frank  A.  Vanderlip 
Henry  A.  Caesar 
Samuel  W.  Fairchild 
Irving  T.  Bush 
Darwin  P.  Kingsley 
Alfred  E.  Marling 


EXECUTIVE   committee 

Welding  Ring,  Chairman 

Charles  L.  Bernheimer 
Howard  C.  Smith 
Eugenius  H.  Outerbridge 
William  H,  Porter 
A.  Barton  Hepburn 
John  Claflin 


COMMITTEE  ON  FINANCE  AND  CURRENCY 
Frank  A.  Vanderlip,  Chairman 
Members  to  serve  until  May,  1918 
George  F,  Baker,  Jr.  Samuel  Sachs 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  191 9 
Albert  H.  Wiggin  James  S.  Alexander 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  1920 
William  Woodward  George  B.  Cortelyou 

266 


APPENDIX  267 

COMMITTEE  ON  FOREIGN  COMMERCE  AND  THE  REVENUE  LAWS 
Henry  A.  Caesar,  Chairman 
Members  to  serve  until  May,  191 8 
William  E.  Peck  Charles  A.  Schieren 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  1919 
Lincoln  Cromwell  John  V.  Jewell 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  1920 
W.  Tyrie  Stevens  I.  Osgood  Carleton 

COMMITTEE  ON  INTERNAL  TRADE  AND  IMPROVEMENTS 
Samuel  W.  Fairchild,  Chairman 
Members  to  serve  until  May,  191 8 
William  R.  Willcox  Bums  D.  Caldwell 

Members  to  serve  xmtil  May,  191 9 
James  O.  Bloss  Charles  A.  Sherman 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  1920 
Charles  E.  Peck  Elihu  C.  Church 

COMMITTEE  ON  THE  HARBOR  AND  SHIPPING 
Irving  T,  Bush,  Chairman 
Members  to  serve  imtil  May,  191 8 
Lloyd  B.  Sanderson  Albert  Strauss 

Members  to  serve  imtil  May,  1919 
John  F.  Wallace  Clarence  H.  Kelsey 

Members  to  serve  imtil  May,  1920 
George  S.  Dearborn  Joseph  P.  Grace 

COMMITTEE  ON  INSURANCE 
Darwin  P.  Kingsley,  Chairman 
Members  to  serve  imtil  May,  191 8 
Hendon  Chubb  John  B.  Lunger 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  191 9 
Frank  E.  Law  Ellis  G,  Richards 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  1920 
William  J.  Tully  Isaac  B.  Johnson 


268  APPENDIX 

COMMITTEE  ON  STATE  AND  MUNICIPAL  TAXATION 

Alfred  E.  Marling,  Chairman 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  191 8 
Edwin  W.  Coggeshall  James  H.  Post 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  1919 
William  C.  Demorest  Leonor  F.  Loree 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  1920 
James  Brown  William  H.  Wheelock 

COMMITTEE   ON  ARBITRATION 

Charles  L.  Bernheimer,  Chairman 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  191 8 
Frank  A.  Ferris  Victor  Koechl 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  191 9 
George  A.  Zabriskie  Thomas  F.  Vietor 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  1920 
W.  Gerald  Hawes  Edward  0.  Stanley 

COMMITTEE  ON  COMMERCIAL  EDUCATION 

Howard  C.  Smith,  Chairman 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  191 8 
Julio  F.  Sorzano  J.  Louis  Schaefer 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  1919 
Alexander  C.  Humphreys  Lionel  Sutro 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  1920 
Joseph  H.  Sears  William  W.  Heroy 

COMMITTEE  ON  THE  CHARITY  FUND  OF  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE 

Eugenius  H.  Outerbridge,  President  of  the  Chamber, 
Chairman,  ex-officio 

Eugene  Delano  Welding  Ring  Alfred  E.  Marling 

BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES  HAVING  CHARGE  OF  THE  REAL  ESTATE  OF  THE 
CHAMBER   OF   COMMERCE 

Eugenius  H.  Outerbridge,  President  of  the  Chamber, 
Chairman,  ex-officio 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  191 8 
Jacob  H.  Schiff  A.  Barton  Hepburn 


APPENDIX  269 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  191 9 
George  F.  Baker  Augustus  D.  Juilliard 

Members  to  serve  until  May,  1920 
T.  De  Witt  Cuyler  Clarence  H.  Kelsey 

COMMISSIONERS  OF  PILOTS,  ELECTED  BY  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE 

To  serve  until  October,  191 9 
Marcus  H.  Tracy  Jacob  W.  Miller  Arthur  M.  Smith 

COMMISSIONER  FOR  LICENSING  SAILORS*  HOTELS  OR  BOARDING- 
HOUSES 
Eben  E.  Olcott 

Special  Committees  Appointed  by  the  President 

committee  on  the  national  guard  and  naval  militia 
Francis  G.  Landon,  Chairman 
Union  N.  Bethell  Henry  C.  Swords 

WiUiam  C.  Le  Gendre  Alfred  R.  Whitney,  Jr. 

Anson  W.  Burchard  James  W.  Lane 

COMMITTEE  ON  WORKMEN'S  COMPENSATION  LEGISLATION 

Edmund  D  wight,  Chairman 
Frank  E.  Law  William  Sloane 

Waldo  H.  Marshall  Otto  M.  Eidlitz 

COMMITTEE  ON  CONSERVATION  OF  STATE  WATERS,  LANDS,  AND 

FORESTS 
Charles  N.  Chadwick,  Chairman 
H.  Hobart  Porter  Charles  W.  Carpenter 

Franklin  P.  Duryea  Lincoln  Cromwell 

COMMITTEE   ON  PROBLEMS   OF   SHIPMENTS   DURING  THE  EUROPEAN 

WAR 

Eugenius  H.  Outerbridge,  Chairman 

Jacob  H.  Schiff  James  A.  Farrell 

J.  Pierpont  Morgan  Welding  Ring 

Frank  A.  Vanderlip  J.  Parker  Kirlin 

Anton  A.  Raven  Charles  C.  Burlingham 

William  G.  Willcox  Hendon  Chubb 

Philip  A.  S.  Franklin  J.  Temple  Gwathmey 

T.  Ashley  Sparks  Samuel  Rea 

Frank  Trumbull  Alfred  H.  Smith 
Walter  B.  Pollock 


270  APPENDIX 

COMMITTEE  ON  THE  AMERICAN  MERCHANT  MARINE 
Irving  T.  Bush,  Chairman 
William  Harris  Douglas  George  S.  Dearborn 

Jacob  W.  Miller  J.  Temple  Gwathmey 

COMMITTEE  ON  INDUSTRIAL  PROBLEMS  AND  RELATIONS 
Edward  D.  Page,  Chairman 
George  W.  Perkins  Otto  M.  Eidlitz 

William  Hamlin  Childs  William  L,  Saunders 

COMMITTEE  ON  FOOD-SUPPLY  AND  PRICES 

Harry  Balfe,  Chairman 
Gustave  Porges  George  A.  Zabriski 

John  W.  Nix  WilUam  McCarroll 

COMMITTEE  ON  CELEBRATION  OF   150TH  ANNIVERSARY 
Lewis  L.  Clarke,  Chairman 
James  Brown  Lincoln  Cromwell 

Samuel  W.  Fairchild  Welding  Ring 

R.  A.  C.  Smith  John  I.  Waterbury 

COMMITTEE  ON  INVESTIGATION  OF   CAMP  WHITMAN  AND 
OTHER   CAMP   SITES 

John  I.  Waterbury,  Chairman 
Leonor  F.  Loree  H.  de  Berkeley  Parsons 

Alfred  R.  Whitney,  Jr.  Michael  Friedsam 

Julio  F.  Sorzano 

COMMITTEE  ON  SAFETY-FIRST  PROBLEMS 
Franklin  P.  Duryea,  Chairman 
Charles  W.  Leavitt  Allen  Merrill  Rogers 

Charles  L.  Bernheimer  George  E.  Molleson 


vn 

ROLL  OF  MEMBERS 
Corrected  to  March  7,  1918 


HONORARY  MEMBERS 
NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Edison,  Thomas  A 1889 

Hanna,  Hugh  H 1900 

Porter,  Horace 1905 

Peary,  Robert  E 1910 

Roosevelt,  Theodore 19 10 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Carnegie,  Andrew 191 1 

Root,  Elihu 1915 

Goethals,  George  W 1917 

Morton,  Levi  P 1917 


MEMBERS 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Abercrombie,  David  T 191 5 

Achelis,  Fritz 1894 

Acheson,  E.  G.,  Niagara 

Falls,  N.Y 1902 

Ackerman,  Ernest  R 1899 

Ackerman,  Marion  S 1903 

Adams,  Edward  D 1902 

Adams,  James  W 1910 

Adams,  Robert  F 1915 

Adier,  Jerome  C 1915 

Adsit,  Charles,  Homell,  N.Y.  1901 

Agar,  John  G 1906 

Agnew,  Cornelius  R 1915 

Agnew,  George  Bliss 1909 

Ahlstrom,  Carl  F 1913 

Aldrich,  Spencer 1909 

Aldridge,  Darwin  R 1898 

Alexander,  Charles  B 1915 

Alexander,  James  S 191 2 

Allen,  Frederic  W 1914 

Allerton,  David  D 1906 

Allison,  William  O 1905 

Alvord,  Andrew  P 1915 

Ambrose,  Harry  T 1891 

Ames,  Edwin  A 1912 

Ames,  Louis  Annin 1913 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Anderson,  Abraham  A 1903 

Anderson,  Charles  W 1890 

Anderson,  John 1908 

Anderson,    Lathrop,    New- 
ark, N.  J 1901 

Andrews,  Horace  E 1908 

Andrews,  James  K 1914 

Andrews,  William  H.,  Buf- 
falo, N.  Y 1897 

Apple  ton,  Francis  R.,  Buf- 
falo, N.Y 1894 

Aral,  Rioichiro 1918 

Arents,  George,  Jr 191 5 

Armstrong,  Collin 1912 

Armstrong,  James  Sinclair.  1892 

Aron,  Jacob 1913 

Ashforth,  Albert  B 1911 

Aspegren,  John 1913 

Astor,  Vincent 1915 

Astor,  William  Waldorf 1890 

Atterbury,  William  W., 

Philadelphia,  Pa 1915 

At  water,  Theron  S 1909 

Atwater,  William  C X909 

Austin,  Chellis  A 1917 

Ayres,  Howard 1905 


271 


272 


APPENDIX 


B 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Babb,  George  W 1908 

Babcock,  F.  Huntington, . .  191 6 

Bache,  Jules  S 1903 

Bacon,  George  W 1915 

Bacon,  Robert 1912 

Bacon,  Robert  Low 1913 

Bailey,  Benjamin  F 1917 

Bailey,  Frank 1901 

Baker,  Edwin  H 1902 

Baker,  George  F 1880 

Baker,  George  F.,  Jr 1913 

Baker,  James  B 1897 

Baldwin,  Leroy  W 191 1 

Baldwin,  William  D , .  1897 

Baldwin,  William  H 191 7 

Baldwin,  William  M 1897 

Balfe,  Harry 1907 

Balfe,  Thomas  F., 

Newburgh,  N.  Y 1906 

Ball,  Alwyn,  Jr 1901 

Ball,  Ancell  H 1909 

Ball,  T.  Arthur 1913 

Ballard,  Charles  W 1916 

Ballard,  Edward  L 1916 

Ballard,  Seymour  M 1914 

Bamberger,  Maurice 1903 

Bancroft,  Joseph 1913 

Bangs,  Francis  Sedgwick. . .  1895 

Banks,  Theodore  H 1917 

Bannard,  Otto  T 1895 

Barber,  James 1910 

Barbour,  W.  Warren 191 7 

Barker,  Harold  O 191 5 

Barlow,  DeWitt  D 1916 

Bamum,  William  M 191 5 

Barr,  Edward 1881 

Barrett,  John  D 1901 

Barrett,  William  M 1909 

Barron,  George  Davis,  Rye, 

N.  Y 1916 

Barrows,  Ira 191 1 

Barry,  Charles  D 1897 

Barry,  John  T 1916 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Bartow,  Charles  S 1897 

Bates,  Edgar  A 1917 

Bates,  Lindon  W 1915 

Bausher,  Charles  L 1897 

Baylies,  Edmund  L 1902 

Bayne,  Howard 1909 

Beall,  Turner  A 1913 

Beatty,  A.  Chester 1912 

Bechstein,  Augustus  C 1889 

Bedford,  Alfred  C 191 7 

Belding,  Milo  M 1891 

Belmont,  August 1891 

Benedict,  Henry  H 1898 

Benedict,  James 1893 

Benedict,  Lemuel  C 1909 

Benedict,  Seelye 1910 

Benedict,  Theodore  Hudson  1902 

Benedict,  William  L 191 2 

Benjamin,  George  P 1891 

Benjamin,  William  Evarts..  1916 

Bennett,  Walter  H 1910 

Bennett,  Walter  Mills 191 7 

Bensel,  John  A 1903 

Berlin,  Henry  C 1891 

Bemheim,  Eli  H 1910 

Bemheim,  Isaac  J 1913 

Bemheim,  Julius  C 1907 

Bemheimer,  Charles  L 1902 

Berolzheimer,  Emil 1901 

Bertram,  H.  Henry 1914 

Bertron,  Samuel  R 1901 

Berwind,  Edward  J 1897 

Bethell,  Union  N 1910 

Bettle,  Samuel 1902 

Billqvist,  C.  Edward 1891 

Bird,  John  W 1911 

Birdsall,  Daniel 1909 

Bissell,  Arthur  D.,  Buffalo, 

N.  Y 1901 

Black,  Harry  S 1915 

Blackiston,  Harry  C 1917 

Blagden,  George 1911 

Blanchard,  Isaac  H 1916 


APPENDIX 


273 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Bliss,  Cornelius  N.,  Jr 1899 

Blood,  Samuel  S 1901 

Bloss,  James  O 1884 

Blum,  Edward  C 1909 

Bogert,  Henry  Myers 1909 

Boker,  Hans  R 1916 

Bondy,  Maurice  S 1906 

Bonties,  Harry  P 1916 

Boody,  David  A 1887 

Borden,  Bertram  H 1910 

Borden,  Spencer,  Jr.,  Fall 

River,  Mass 1908 

Boskowitz,  Adolph 1891 

Bourne,  Frederick  G 1889 

Bouvier,  Maurice 1915 

Bowen,  Clarence  Winthrop.  1887 

Bowne,  Samuel  W 1914 

Bowring,  Charles  Warren.  .  191 2 

Bradlee,  John  R 1912 

Brady,  Nicholas  F 1913 

Brainard,  Frank 1900 

Brainerd,  Frederick  A 1903 

Braman,  Willard 1894 

Brett,  George  P 1902 

Brewer,  William  A.,  Jr., 

South  Orange,  N.  J 1902 

Brewster,  Henry  C, 

Rochester,  N.  Y 1899 

Briesen,  Arthur  v 1904 

Briesen,  Richard  v 1909 

Bright,  Osborn  W 1902 

Brinckerhoflf,  Elbert  A.,  Jr.  191 1 

Broadway,  William  G 1910 

Brodmerkel,  Charles,  Jr. 1915 

Broenniman,  Edward  G. . . .  1912 

Bronner,  Harry 1915 

Brooker,  Charles  F 1897 

Brooks,  Charles  M 1917 

Brown,  Edward  W 1916 

Cabot,  Francis  H 1897 

Caesar,  Harry  1 1917 

Caesar,  Henry  A 1890 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Brown,  Elmer  E 1912 

Brown,  Franklin  Q 1903 

Brown,  J.  Adams 1913 

Brown,  James 1913 

Brown,  James  Crosby, 

Philadelphia,  Pa 1906 

Brown,  Samuel  T 1905 

Brown,  Thatcher  Magoun. .  1909 
Brown,  Vernon  Carleton. . .   1897 

Brown,  Walston  H 1889 

Brown,  Willard  Stanbury. .   1908 

Browning,  John  Scott 1890 

Bruere,  Henry 1916 

Brundrett,  Hart  B 1890 

Bruning,  Henry  F 1913 

Bucknall,  Henry  W.  J 1916 

Buckner,  Mortimer  Norton.  191 7 

Buckner,  Thomas  A 1910 

Budge,  Henry,  Hamburg, 

Germany 1898 

Bulkley,  Edwin  M 1899 

Bulkley,  Jonathan 1894 

Bunce,  H.  L.,  Hartford, 

Conn 1902 

Burchard,  Anson  W 1910 

Burgess,  Edward  G 1903 

Burke,  John 1904 

Burns,  Walter  F 1918 

Burr,  Winthrop 1904 

Burroughs,  James  S 1912 

Burton,  Theodore  E 191 7 

Bush,  D.  Fairfax 1917 

Bush,  Irving  T 1904 

Buswell,  Frederic  C 1913 

Butler,  Charles  Stewart. ...  191 7 
Butler,  Nicholas  Murray. . .  1908 
Buttenwieser,  Joseph  L. .. .  1912 
Butterworth,  Frank  S 1917 

Calder,  William  M 1915 

Caldwell,  Bums  D 1913 

Caldwell,  George  B 4.  19x7 


274 


APPENDIX 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Caldwell,  Robert  J 1906 

Cammann,  Edward  C igi6 

Cammann,  Henry  L 1899 

Cammann,  Hermann  H. . . .  1894 

Camp,  Hugh  N.,  Jr 1908 

Campbell,  Palmer 191 1 

Campbell,  Peter,  Kearny, 

N.J 1915 

Campbell,  Samuel  S 1910 

Cannon,  Henry  W 1886 

Carey,  Stephen  W 1859 

Carhart,  Edward  R 1917 

Carlebach,  Emil 1903 

Carleton,  I.  Osgood 1897 

Carlisle,  Jay  F 1910 

Carlton,  Newcomb iQiS 

Carpenter,  Charles  W 1899 

Carse,  Henry  R 1904 

Cartledge,  Charles  F 1902 

Carty,  John  J 1916 

Case,  Albert  C 1902 

Case,  Charles  L 1905 

Case,  Clinton  P 1910 

Cauchois,  Oscar  R 1916 

Chadwick,  Charles  N 1906 

Chamberlin,  Emerson, 

Summit,  N.  J 1907 

Chambers,  Frank  R 1889 

Chase,  Austin  C,  Syra- 
cuse, N.  Y 1902 

Chatillon,  George  E 1912 

Cheney,  Orion  H 1917 

Chew,  Beverly 1899 

Childs,  Eversley 1916 

Childs,  Harris  R 1910 

Childs,  Samuel  S 1910 

Childs,  William  Hamlin 1914 

Chisolm,  George  E 1903 

Chubb,  Hendon 1910 

Chubb,  Percy 1910 

Church,  Elihu  C 1913 

Cillis,  Hubert 1902 

Claflin,  John 1878 

Clapp,  Edward  E 1902 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Clark,  Charles  Martin 19 10 

Clark,  Edward  Severin  ....   1914 

Clark,  George  C 1907 

Clark,  J.  William 1907 

Clark,  William  A 1902 

Clarke,  Lewis  L 1910 

Clarke,  Thomas  B 1888 

Clayburgh,  Albert 1912 

Clews,  Henry 1865 

Clews,  James  B 1910 

Clowry,  Robert  C 1903 

Clyde,  Thomas 1900 

Clyde,  William  P 1873 

Cochran,  Thomas 1915 

Coe,  William  R 1910 

Coffin,  Charles  A 1902 

Coggeshall,  Edwin  W 1903 

Cogswell,  Ledyard,  Albany, 

N.  Y 1901 

Cogswell,  W.  B.,  Syracuse, 

N.  Y 1902 

Cokefair,  Isaac  W 1913 

Cole,  Edward  F.,  Yonkers, 

N.  Y 1917 

Coler,  Birds 1898 

Colgate,  James  C 1898 

Collins,  Clarence  Lyman. . .   1879 

Cone,  Charles  Arthur 1914 

Cone,  Frederick  H 1914 

Conklin,  William  G. ..... .   1897 

Conley,  Louis  D 1912 

Conlin,  Frederick 1916 

Connett,  Ernest  R 1905 

Conrow,  Theodore 1897 

Content,  Harry 1902 

Cook,  Henry  F 1897 

Cooke,  Delos  W 1916 

Cooke,  William  G 1910 

Coombs,  James  Bliss 191 1 

Cooney,  John  J 1910 

Copeland,  Charles  C 1907 

Coppell,  Arthur 191 7 

Corey,  Clarence  T 191 2 

Corey,  William  E 1910 


APPENDIX 


275 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

909 


Coriell,  William  Wallace. . 

Corliss,  Charles  A 

Coming,  Christopher 

Robert 

Coming,  Edward 

ComweU,  William  C 

Cortelyou,  George  B 

County,  Albert  J.,  Phila- 
delphia, Pa 

Cowl,  Clarkson 

Cowl,  Donald  Heam 

Cowles,  Justus  A.  B 

Cowperthwait,  J,  Howard. 

Coykendall,  Frederick 

Cozzens,  Stanley  T 

Cranford,  Frederick  L . . . . 

Cranford,  Walter  V 

Crawford,  Everett  Lake.. . 


Dahl,  Gerhard  M 

Daniels,  Lorenzo 

Daniels,  William  Cooke, 
London,  England. . , 
Darlington,  Thomas. ... 

Darrell,  Edward  F 

Davenport,  William  B . . 

Davey,  William  N , 

Davidge,  William  H 

Davison,  Henry  P 

Day,  Arthur  M 

Day,  Clarence  S , 

Day,  Horace  L , 

Day,  Joseph  P , 

Day,  WilUam  A 

Deal,  Edgar 

Dean,  Herbert  H 

Dearborn,  David  B . . . . 
Dearborn,  George  S . . . . . 

Debevoise,  George , 

Debevoise,  Thomas  M. . , 

DeBost,  William  L 

De  Cordova,  Charles . . . , 

Deeves,  J.  Henry , 

Deeves,  Richard , 


905 
893 
917 
909 

916 

897 
917 
917 
909 

913 
902 
911 
911 
907 


D 


917 
916 

912 
907 
916 
907 
916 
904 
900 
904 

89s 
917 
908 
910 
901 
907 
86s 
900 
906 
912 
917 
882 

897 
896 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Crimmins,  Thomas 1902 

Cromwell,  David,  White 

Plains,  N.  Y 1901 

Cromwell,  James  W 1892 

Cromwell,  Lincoln 1905 

Cromwell,  Seymour 

LeGrand 1915 

Crook,  Edward  K 1912 

Cruger,  Bertram 1904 

Cumnock,  Arthur  James. . .  191 1 
Cunningham,  James  W. . . .   1904 

Currey,  Jonathan  B 1900 

Curtis,  Sidney  W 1912 

Cutler,  Otis  H 1913 

Cutter,  Ralph  L 1878 

Cutting,  R.  Fulton 1896 

Cuyler,  Thomas  De  Witt, 

Philadelphia,  Pa 1902 

Degener,  John  F 1891 

Degener,  John  F.,  Jr 1915 

DeGraff,  James  W 1912 

Delafield,  Maturin  L.,  Jr., 

Paris,  France 1897 

Delano,  Eugene 1900 

Delano,  Moreau 1912 

De  Lanoy,  William  C, 

Washington,  D.  C. . . .   1911 

De  Lima,  Elias  A 1897 

De  Lima,  EUas  S.  A., 

Mexico  City,  Mex 1897 

Demorest,  William  C 1899 

De  Mott,  Harry  M 1916 

Denby,  Isaac 1890 

Depew,  Chauncey  M 1885 

De  Rham,  Charles 1900 

Despard,  Walter  D 1904 

Dick,  J.  Henry 1904 

Dickerman,  George  W 1911 

Dickerman,  Watson  B 1907 

Dickey,  Charles  D 1913 

Dickinson,  Edwin  E 1905 

Dickson,  James  B 1897 

Dickson,  Joseph  B 1905 


276 


APPENDIX 


NAME  DATE   OF  ELECTION 

Dieterich,  Charles  F 1897 

Dimse,  Henry 1907 

Dix,  John  A.,  Jr 1906 

Dodd,  Louis  F 1911 

Dodge,  Cleveland  E 1915 

Dodge,  Cleveland  H 1883 

Dodge,  Marcellus  Hartley. ,  1905 

Dominick,  George  F 1903 

Dommerich,  Otto  L 191 2 

Donald,  John  A 1912 

Donovan,  Walter  J.  M 1913 

Dormitzer,  Walter 1909 

Doubleday,  Frank  N 1913 

Doubleday,  George 1918 

Douglas,  Edward  D 1914 

Douglas,  William  H 1897 

Douglass,  Robert  Dun 1897 

Dow,  Charles  M.,  James- 
town, N.  Y 1901 

Dowd,  Joseph 1917 

Eames,  John  C 1915 

Eastman,  Joseph 1904 

Eastmond,  Joseph  Famham  1917 

Eckardt,  Clarence  W 1913 

Ecker,  Frederick  H 191 7 

Eckert,  John  A 1910 

Eddy,  Jesse  L 1905 

Edmister,  Willard  Earl . . . .  1906 

Edwards,  George  E 191 2 

Eidlitz,  Otto  M 1901 

Eiseman,  Samuel 1903 

Eisman,  Max 1901 

EUiman,  Douglas  L 1914 

Elliman,  Lawrence  B 1914 

Elliott,  Ashbel  R 1912 

Elliott,  Howard 1915 

Ellis,  W.  Dixon 1909 

Ellison,  Bennett 1918 

Faber,  Eberhard 191 2 

Faber,  Rudolph  C 1913 


E 


NAME  DATE   OF  ELECTION 

Dowler,  Arthur  E 1901 

DowUng,  Robert  E 1908 

Downey,  John  1 1912 

Dreher,  Harold  J 1916 

Dreicer,  Michael 1909 

Drexel,  John  R., 

Philadelphia,  Pa 1902 

Dryden,  Forrest  F 1916 

Drysdale,  Robert  A 1909 

Dudley,  John  L.,  Jr 1905 

Duer,  Edward  R 1918 

Duke,  James  B 1893 

Dumbell,  Henry  T 1915 

Duncan,  Stuart 1902 

Dunn,  Henry  E 1906 

duPont,  T.  Coleman 191 5 

Duryea,  Franklin  P 1906 

Duval,  George  L 1900 

Dwight,  Edmund 1906 

Elms,  James  C 1906 

Ely,  George  W 1900 

Emanuel,  John  H.,  Jr 1914 

Emery,  John  R 1903 

Emery,  Joseph  H 1909 

Englis,  Charles  M 1889 

English,  William  H 1904 

Ernst,  AlwinC.,Cleveland,0.  191 7 

Erstein,  Moise  L 1914 

Estee,  Tully  C 1915 

Estes,  Webster  C 1897 

Etherington,  William  F. . . .  1911 

Ettlinger,  Louis 1897 

Eustis,  John  E 1910 

Evans,  Henry 1892 

Ewart,  Richard  H 1907 

Ewing,  Blaine 1917 

Exton,  Brudenell  N 191 7 

Fahnestock,  Harris 1908 

Fahnestock,  William 1898 


APPENDIX 


277 


NAME  DATE  OP  ELECTION 

Fahys,  George  Ernest 1897 

Fairchild,  Charles  S 1889 

Fairchild,  Julian  D 1893 

Fairchild,  Samuel  W 1895 

Falk,  Kaufman  S 1898 

Fancher,  Bertram  H 1911 

Farrell,  James  A 1910 

Farrell,  Maurice  L 1916 

Farrelly,  Stephen 1897 

Fassett,  J.  Sloat,  Elmira, 

N.  Y 1901 

Faulkner,  Edward  D 1890 

Felsinger,  William 191 1 

Ferguson,  Walton 1901 

Ferris,  Frank  A 1894 

Ferry,  E.  Hayward 1907 

Finley,  John  H 1916 

Fisher,  Edwin  A.,  Sayre- 

ville,  N.  J 1906 

Fisher,  Irving  R 1901 

Fisher,  Walter  G 191 7 

Fisk,  Pliny 1902 

Fisk,  Wilbur  C 1912 

Flagler,  John  H 1897 

Fleischmann,  Charles  M. . .  191 1 

Fleischmann,  Udo  M 191 1 

Fleitmann,  Frederick  T. . . .  1907 

Fleitmann,  Hermann  C ... .  1914 

Fletcher,  Andrew 1914 

Fletcher,  Austin  B 1906 

Gage,  Baron  W 1916 

Garabrant,  David  G 1917 

Garrigues,  William  A 1915 

Gary,  Elbert  H 1902 

Gawtry,  Harrison  E 1902 

Gawtry,  Lewis  B 1905 

Gaynor,  Philip  B 1914 

Geer,  George  J 1890 

Gelshenen,  William  H 1916 

Gerhard,  Paul  F 1883 

Getty,  Hugh 1909 

Giblin,  William 1911 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Fletcher,  Henry 191 5 

Flint,  Charles  R 1877 

Folger,  Henry  C,  Jr 1913 

Forbes,  Allen  Boyd 1906 

Forgan,  James  B., 

Chicago,  111 1902 

Forrest,  Richard  E 1916 

Foss,  Wilson  P 1916 

Foster,  Nathaniel  R 191 7 

Foster,  Scott 1891 

Fowler,  John  F 1916 

Fox,  Frederick  P 1909 

Francis,  David  R., 

St.  Louis,  Mo 1902 

Frank,  Charles  A 191 2 

Franklin,  Philip  A.  S 1907 

Fredrick,  Leopold 1909 

Freeborn,  James  L 1916 

Freeman,  Charles  D 1898 

Frelinghuysen,  Joseph 

Sherman 1908 

Frenkel,  Emil 191 1 

Frew,  Walter  E 1903 

Frick,  Henry  C 1905 

Friedman,  Sol 1911 

Friedsam,  Michael 1898 

Frissell,  Algernon  S 1887 

Frost,  Russell,  South 

Norwalk,  Conn 1907 

Fullerton,  Henry  S 1916 

Gibson,  Robert 1906 

Gibson,  Robert  W 1897 

Gibson,  William  H 1910 

Gilbert,  Alexander 1905 

Gilbert,  Charles  P.  H 1901 

Gillies,  Edwin  J 1907 

Gilpin,  William  J 1897 

Gintzler,  Morris 1915 

Gips,  Adrian,  Rotterdam, 

Holland 1908 

Glazier,  Henry  S 1910 

Gleason,  Marshall  W 1910 


278 


APPENDIX 


NAME  DATE   OF  ELECTION 

Glover,  Charles  C,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C 1902 

Glyn,  William  E 1917 

Goelet,  Robert 1906 

Goepel,  Carl 1901 

Golding,  John  N 1906 

Goldman,  Henry 1895 

Goldschmidt,  Samuel  A 1902 

Goodhue,  Charles  E 1909 

Gough,  William  T 1917 

Gould,  Edwin 1905 

Gould,  George  J 1894 

Grace,  Joseph  P 1903 

Graham,  James  Lorimer.  .  .  19 10 

Graham,  Malcolm 1897 

Grant,  RoUin  P 1913 

Gray,  Olin  D 1908 

Gray,  William  S 1900 

Greeff,  Bemhard 1908 

Greeff,  Bernhard,  Jr 1911 

Haas,  Kalman 1890 

Haffner,  Jacob  H 1917 

Hagedorn,  Hermann 1906 

Hagemeyer,  Frank  E 1916 

Hagerty,  George  V 1906 

Haggerty,  J.  Henry 1897 

Haigh,  George  C 1917 

Hale,  Henry 1916 

Hall,  A.  Mitchell,  2d 1909 

Hall,  Albert  C 1894 

Hall,  Edward  E 1910 

Hall,  William  Webster 191 7 

Halle,  Stanley  J 1917 

Halls,  William,  Jr 1897 

Halm,  WUliam  E 1916 

Halstead,  J,  Morton 1916 

Halsted,  Gilbert  C 1917 

Hamilton,  Carl  W 1916 

Hammer,  G:  Adolph 1905 

Hammond,  John  Hays 191 5 

Hanan,  John  H 1910 

Hanauer,  Jerome  J 191 2 


H 


NAME  DATE   OF   ELECTION 

Greenhut,  Benedict  J 1906 

Greenhut,  Joseph  B 1910 

Greer,  Louis  Morris 191 1 

Greims,  Herbert  S 1907 

Griffin,  Francis  B 1899 

Griffith,  Edward 1902 

Griffith,  Percy  T 1909 

Griscom,  Clement  A.,  Jr. . .  1897 

Guerrlich,  Francis 1916 

Guggenheim,  Daniel 1891 

Guggenheim,  Isaac 1891 

Guggenheim,  Morris 1895 

Guggenheim,  Solomon 1895 

Guggenheim,  William 1914 

Guiterman,  Percy  L 191 7 

Gunther,  Bernard  G 1893 

Gunther,  Franklin  L 1889 

Guye,  Charles  H 1907 

Gwathmey,  J.  Temple 1903 

Gwynne,  Charles  T 1907 

Hance,  John  A 1909 

Hare,  J.  Montgomery 1895 

Harrington,  Walter  E 191 7 

Harris,  Arthur  M 1913 

Harrison,  George  F 1911 

Hartshorn,  Stewart 1890 

Harvey,  George 1900 

Harvey,  Raymond 191 5 

Hasler,  Henry 1903 

Hasslacher,  Jacob 1903 

Hastings,  Courtland  E 191 6 

Hatch,  Arthur  Melvin 1898 

Hatfield,  Joshua  A 191 5 

Hathaway,  Charles 1896 

Hatzel,  John  C 1918 

Haven,  George  G 1912 

Hawes,  W.  Gerald 1916 

Hawkes,  McDougall 1903 

Hawkins,  George  F 1900 

Hawley,  Robert  B 1916 

Hay,  Louis  C 1911 

Hays,  David  S 1913 


APPENDIX 


279 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELE( 

Hazard,  William  A 

Hazen,  George  H 

Healey,  Warren  M 

Healy,  A.  Augustus 

Hegeman,  John  R 

Heide,  Henry 

Heidelbach,  Alfred  S 

Hemphill,  Alexander  Julian 

Hendricks,  Harmon  W 

Henry,  James 

Hentz,  Henry 

Hepburn,  A.  Barton 

Heroy,  William  W 

Herrick,  Parmely  W 

Hester,  William 

Hetzler,  Theodore 

Hewitt,  Erskine 

Hicks,  Frederick  C 

Higgins,  Eugene 

Higgins,  John  D., 

Oswego,  N.  Y 

Higgins,  Richard  H 

Hill,  Louis  W.,  St.  Paul, 

Minn 

Hill,  Percival  S 

Hillas,  Robert  J 

Hilles,  Charles  D 

Hilliard,  John  Gerald 

Hillman,  William 

Hiltman,  John  W 

Hilton,  Frederick  M 

Hine,  Francis  L 

Hirsch,  Richard 

Hirsch,  Robert  B 

Hirschland,  Franz  H 

Hobart,  Henry  L.,  East- 

hampton,  N.  Y 

Hochschild,  Berthold 

Hodenpyl,  Anton  G 

Hodge,  Henry  W 

Hodges,  Alfred 

Hodgman,  George  B 

Hodgman,  S.  Theodore. . . . 
Hoe,  WiUiamJ 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Hoffman,  Charles  F.,  Jr 1897 

Hoffman,  Samuel  V 1902 

Hoffstot,  Frank  N 1918 

Holbrook,  Edward 1889 

Holbrook,  John  Swift 1907 

Holden,  Arthur  Bates 1910 

Holland,  Charles  H 1913 

Hollister,  George  C 191 2 

Holmes,  Edwin  T 1897 

Homan,  Benjamin  H 191 5 

Homer,  Francis  T 1914 

Hooker,  Elon  Huntington. .  191 7 
Hopkins,  Eustis  Langdon. .   1901 

Hopkins,  George  B 1891 

Hopkins,  Jesse  L 1917 

Horowitz,  Louis  J 1915 

Horr,  L.  William 1907 

Hoskier,  Herman  C, 

South  Orange,  N.  J 1897 

Housman,  Frederick 1909 

Howard,  William  C 1897 

Howell,  Thomas  A 1916 

Howland,  W.  Wallace 1891 

Hoxie,  William  D 1912 

Hoyt,  Colgate 1898 

Hoyt,  Edward  C 1889 

Hojrt,  John  Sherman 1913 

Hubbard,  Samuel  T 1899 

Hubbard,  Walter  C 1906 

Hubbs,  Charles  Francis. . . .   1917 

Hubert,  Conrad 1912 

Hudnut,  Alexander  M 1896 

Hudnut,  Richard  Alex 191 7 

Huffer,  H.  C,  Jr.,  Paris, 

France 1915 

Hughitt,  Marvin, 

Chicago,  111 1902 

Hume,  Frederic  T 1897 

Hvmiphreys,  Alexander  C . .  1902 
Humphreys,  Frederick  H.. .   1902 

Humstone,  Walter  C 1902 

Huntington,  Archer  M 1902 

Huntington,  Henry  E 191 2 

Huntington,  Samuel  V.  V. .   191 7 


28o 


APPENDIX 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Hurdman,  Frederick 

Harold 1909 

Hyatt,  Abram  M 1901 

Ichinomiya,  Reitaro 1917 

Ickelheimer,  Henry  R 1892 

Ide,  George  E 1897 

Ilsley,  Silas  A 1889 

Iselin,  Adrian 1894 

Jackson,  George  J 1908 

Jacobs,  Ralph  J 1890 

Jacot,  William 1916 

Jadwin,  Stanley  P 191 7 

James,  Arthur  Curtiss 1893 

Jameson,  Edwin  C 1913 

Jarvie,  James  N 1894 

Jeanne,  Frank 1917 

Jeffery,  Edward  T 1906 

Jenks,  Jeremiah  W 191 7 

Jennings,  Walter 1915 

Jesup,  Charles  M.,  White 

Plains,  N.Y 1883 

Jesup,  Frank  W 1901 

Jewell,  John  V 1903 

Job,  WUliam  C 1917 

Kahn,  Otto  H 1897 

Kaley,  Frank  E 1916 

Kathan,  Reid  A 1910 

Kaufman,  Louis  G 191 1 

Keiser,  James  R 1912 

Kelley,  Cornelius  F 191 7 

Kelly,  Richard  B 1901 

Kelsey,  Clarence  H 1897 

Kemp,  Edward  CM 1910 

Kemp,  William  H 1916 

Kent,  Fred  1 1910 

Kent,  Thomas  B 1893 

Keppler,  Rudolph 1899 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Hyde,  E,  Francis 1891 

Hyde,  James  H.,  Paris, 

France 1899 

Iselin,  Arthur 1910 

Iselin,  Ernest 1918 

Iselin,  William  E 1893 

Isham,  Phillips 1917 

Israel,  Leon 1913 

Johnson,  Alba  B., 

Philadelphia,  Pa 1909 

Johnson,  Frank  Coit 1903 

Johnson,  Frederick  M 1914 

Johnson,  Isaac  B 1913 

Johnson,  Joseph  French. .. .  1909 

Jones,  E.  Clarence 1901 

Jones,  Frank  S 1899 

Joost,  Martin 1891 

Jourdan,  Edward  R 1916 

Jourdan,  Franklin  B 1915 

Jourdan,  James  H 1916 

Jourdan,  William  B 19 14 

Joyce,  William  B 1917 

Judson,  William  D 191 2 

Juhring,  William  L 1916 

Juilliard,  Augustus  D 1875 

Kerr,  John  B 1905 

Kerr,  Walter 1907 

Kessler,  George  A 1898 

Keys,  Charles  H 1907 

Keys,  WilUam  A 1907 

Kies,  William  S 1915 

Kiesewetter,  Louis  F 1916 

Kilduff,  Thomas  H., 

Boston,  Mass 1906 

King,  R.  Courtney 1912 

King,  Willard  V 1909 

Kingsbury,  Nathan  C 19 16 

Kingsley,  Darwin  P 1907 


APPENDIX 


281 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Kingsley,  William  M 1901 

Kinnan,  Alexander  P.  W. , .  1909 

Kinnear,  Wilson  S 1916 

Kirkbride,  Franklin  Butler.  1906 
Kirkpatrick,  George  Under- 
wood   1918 

Kirkpatrick,  John 19 10 

Klinck,  Jacob  C 1909 

Klingenstein,  Charles 191 5 

Kneeland,  Yale 1903 

Knight,  William 1903 

Knoedler,  Roland  F 1887 

Knox,  William  Henry 1906 

Koechl,  Victor 1889 

LaBoyteaux,  W.  Harvell. . .  1916 

Labrot,  Sylvester  W 1917 

Lafrentz,  Ferdinand  W ... .  191 5 

Laidlaw,  James  Lees 1907 

Laing,  Edgar  H 1908 

Lamont,  Thomas  W 1905 

Landon,  Francis  G 1910 

Landstreet,  Fairfax  S 1910 

Lane,  James  W 1902 

Langdon,  Charles  S 1915 

Langdon,  Woodbury, 

Portsmouth,  N.  H 1877 

Langford,  Herbert  E 191 8 

Langley,  William  C 1917 

Lanier,  Charles 1865 

Lanier,  James  F.  D 1917 

Law,  Frank  E 1912 

Leach,  Arthur  B 1902 

Leavitt,  Charles  W 191 1 

Lee,  Arthur  P 1917 

Lee,  Charles  N., 

Farmington,  Conn. ...  1903 

Lee,  Ivy  L 1915 

Le  Gendre,  William  C 1892 

Legg,  George 1895 

Lehman,  Arthur 1903 

Lehman,  Philip 1898 

Lehman,  Sigmund  M 1898 


NAME  DATE  OP  ELECTION 

Kohn,  Arnold 1914 

Kohns,  Lee 1891 

Kopper,  Philip  W.,  Jr 1910 

Kops,  Daniel 1909 

Koxmtze,  Luther 1869 

Kracke,  Frederick  J.  H 1915 

Krech,  Alvin  W 1915 

Kremer,  William  N 1899 

Kridel,  Samuel 1902 

Kuh,  Charles  E 1917 

Kuhne,  Percival 1897 

Kunhardt,  Henry  R 1895 

Kunz,  George  F 1917 

Kuttroff,  Adolf 1889 

I 

Leland,  Arthur  S 1912 

Lend,  Thomas  A 1917 

Lesher,  Arthur  L 1884 

Leverich,  Charles  D., 

Corona,  L.  1 1891 

Levy,  Charles  E 1904 

Levy,  Jefferson  M 1898 

Lewis,  Edward  L 1902 

Lewisohn,  Adolph 1902 

Lewisohn,  Sam  A 1916 

Lilienthal,  Joseph  L 1909 

Lincoln,  Frederic  W 1897 

Lindenthal,  Gustav 1909 

Lindsay,  L.  Seton 1916 

Linton,  George 1916 

Lisman,  Frederick  J 1902 

Litchfield,  Edward  H 1899 

Littauer,  Lucius  N 1899 

Lloyd,  Francis  G 1890 

Lockett,  Arthur  Hobart. .. .  1912 

Lockhart,  Frederick  C 1916 

Loeb,  Carl  M 1911 

Loeb,  William,  Jr 1917 

Loeser,  Vincent 1915 

Loines,  Stephen 1897 

Look,  David  M 1894 

Loomis,  Edward  E 1915 

Loomis,  Edward  N 1902 


282 


APPENDIX 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Loree,  Leonor  F 1912 

Lorsch,  Arthur 1917 

Love  joy,  Frederick  B 191 7 

Lovett,  Robert  S 1909 

Low,  William  C 1917 

Luckenbach,  Edgar  F 1901 

Luliger,  John  B 1912 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Lyall,  William  L 1912 

Lybrand,  William  M 1910 

Lyman,  Frank 1900 

Ljmch,  John  Hampton 1903 

Lyon,  Emory  S 1910 

Lyons,  Edward 1916 


Mc 


McAlpin,  D.  Hunter 1916 

McAlpin,  George  L 1913 

McAlpin,  William  W 1907 

McAneny,  George 1914 

McCall,  John  C 1910 

McCarroll,  William 1897 

McCollough,  Charles  A 1913 

McComb,  David  J 1908 

McCutchen,  Charles  W. . . .   1906 

McDonald,  Willis,  Jr 1914 

McDougaU,  Walter 1907 

McFadden,  George  H 1903 

McGaixah,  Gates  W 1899 


McHugh,  John 1916 

Mclntyre,  William  H 1902 

McKenna,  William  L 1902 

McKenzie,  Herbert  C 191 2 

McKesson,  John 1889 

McKiimey,  Henry  N 1912 

McLane,  Guy  Richards. . . .   1909 

McLean,  James 1900 

McManus,  Edward  F 191 6 

McMullen,  John 1914 

McNeir,  George 1896 

McWhorter,  Charles  F 1917 


M 


Mabon,  James  B 1901 

MacArthur,  John  R 1916 

Macdonald,  James  A 1897 

Mackay,  Clarence  H 1903 

MacKay,  Frederic  D 1909 

Mackay,  Malcolm  S 1913 

MacLean,  Charles  F 1912 

MacVeagh,  Franklin, 

Chicago,  111 1902 

Macy,  George  H 1891 

Macy,  Nelson 1913 

Macy,  V.  Everit 1902 

Magoffin,  James  R 1908 

Mali,  Pierre 1889 

Maiming,  John  B 1890 

ManviUe,  T.  Frank 1904 

Marden,  Francis  S 1904 

Markle,  John 1902 

Marks,  Marcus  M 1903 

Marling,  Alfred  E 1897 


Marling,  Charles  E 1916 

Marsh,  Henry  W 1909 

Marsh,  Joseph  A 1903 

Marsh,  Melville  A 1910 

Marshall,  Waldo  H 1909 

Marston,  Edgar  J 1912 

Marston,  Edgar  L 1902 

Marston,  Edwin  S 1915 

Martin,  Bradley 191 2 

Martin,  Henry  C 191 1 

Martinez,  Aristides 1897 

Masury,  John  W 1904 

Mather,  Samuel, 

Cleveland,  0 1902 

Matheson,  William  J 1902 

Maxwell,  Howard  W 191 1 

Maxwell,  Robert 1901 

May,  George  Oliver 1916 

Mayer,  Morris 1902 

Majrnard,  DufE  G 1915 


APPENDIX 


283 


NAME  DATE   OF  ELECTION 

Maynard,  Edwin  P 1913 

Meade,  Richard  W 1915 

Megargel,  Roy  C 1915 

Mehren,  Edward  J 191 7 

Meinhard,  Morton  H 1912 

Melcher,  Josiah  R 1913 

Mendelsohn,  Sigmund 191 2 

Merck,  George 1905 

Meredith,  William  T 1897 

Merrill,  Edwin  G 1910 

Merrill,  Wm.  Willis 1906 

Metcalf,  Manton  B 1909 

Mettler,  John  Wyckofif.  ...  191 1 

Metz,  Herman  A 1899 

Meurer,  Jacob 1907 

Meyer,  Abraham  B 1904 

Meyer,  Harry  H 1902 

Meyer,  Henry  C 1875 

Meyer,  John  Henry 1904 

Meyer,  Joseph  E 1906 

Meyer,  Julius  P 191 2 

Meyer,  Leopold, 

Newark,  N.  J 1907 

Miller,  Andrew  J 1917 

Miller,  Edward  C 1912 

Miller,  Jacob  W 1893 

Miller,  John  Doull 1899 

Millett,  Stephen  C 191 7 

Milliken,  Gerrish  H 191 7 

Milliken,  Seth  M 1882 

Mills,  Abraham  G 1887 

Mills,  Andrew 1892 

Mills,  John  T 1895 

Mills,  Ogden 1906 

Mills,  W.  McMaster 1905 

Minton,  Francis  L 1901 

Mitchel,  Ormsby  M 1903 

Mitchell,  Francis  B., 

Rochester,  N.  Y i888 

Mitchell,  John  J., 

Chicago,  111 1902 

Moen,  Leclanche 1915 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Molitor,  Frederic  A 1916 

Mollenhauer,  Henry  F 1906 

Molleson,  George  E 1905 

Monks,  John,  Jr 1900 

Monroe,  Rolland  G 1916 

Montgomery,  James  Moore.  1901 
Montgomery,  Richard  M. .   1881 

Montgomery,  Robert  H 1909 

Moody,  Harry  A 1916 

Moore,  Charles  A.,  Jr 1905 

Moore,  John  C 1906 

Moore,  William  H 1902 

Moran,  Robert  G 191 2 

Morgan,  J.  Pierpont 1894 

Morgan,  James  L 1906 

Morgan,  William  F 1896 

Morgenthau,  Henry 1901 

Morrell,  Joseph  B 1912 

Morris,  Effingham  B., 

Philadelphia,  Pa 1902 

Morrison,  David  M 1891 

Morrison,  Louis  W 1904 

Morrow,  Dwight  W 1915 

Morse,  Daniel  P 1900 

Morse,  James  R 1893 

Moseley,  Mercer  P 191 7 

Mosle,  George  R 1903 

Mott,  Howard  S 1916 

Mott,  Jordan  L 1913 

Mott,  William  C 1914 

Muller,  Carl 1897 

Mimger,  Henry  C 1917 

Munn,  John  P 1909 

Munro,  Robert  F 1915 

Munroe,  Henry  Whitney. . .   1897 

Munsey,  Frank  A 1899 

Munson,  Frank  C 19x5 

Murphy,  Patrick  Francis.. .   191 5 

Murphy,  William  D 1899 

Murray,  Thomas  E 1915 

Myers,  Theodore  W 1896 


284 


APPENDIX 


N 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Nash,  Walter  H 1916 

Nash,  William  A 1891 

Nathan,  Alfred 1905 

Nathan,  Max 1891 

Naumburg,  Aaron 1897 

Naumburg,  Elkan 1879 

Naumburg,  George  W 1899 

Naumburg,  Max 1889 

Naumburg,  Walter  W 1895 

Neuhoflf,  Karl  W 1915 

Newbold,  Arthur  E., 

Philadelphia,  Pa 1905 

Newcomb,  James  G 1904 

Newington,  Harry  M 19 15 

Nichols,  Acosta 1899 

Nichols,  George, 

Boston,  Mass 1905 

Oakman,  Walter  G 1897 

Obermayer,  Charles  J 1915 

O'Brien,  Edward  C 1900 

Ochs,  Adolph  S 1902 

Oddie,  Orville,  Jr 191 1 

Odell,  Benjamin  B.,  Jr 191 2 

O'Donohue,  Charles  A 1895 

Olcott,  Eben  Erskine 1902 

Oler,  Wesley  M 191 2 

Ollesheimer,  Henry 1906 

Olney,  Charles 1909 

Olyphant,  Robert 1882 

Packard,  Edwin 1890 

Page,  Edward  D., 

Oakland,  N.  J 1903 

Page,  Frank  C.  B 1909 

Page,  J.  Seaver 1886 

Pagenstecher,  Albrecht,  Jr.,  191 2 

Paine,  Augustus  G.,  Jr 1913 

Paine,  Willis  S 1890 

Palmer,  Nicholas  F 1888 


O 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Nichols,  John  W.  T 1900 

Nichols,  William  H 1894 

Nicol,  Robert  A 1916 

Nissen,  Ludwig 1900 

Niven,  John  B 1912 

Nix,  John  W 1910 

Nixon,  Lewis 1898 

Noonan,  William  T., 

Rochester,  N.  Y 1913 

Norden,  Hermann, 

Pasadena,  Cal 1906 

Norton,  Charles  Dyer 191 1 

Norton,  Edward  N 1910 

Norton,  SkefiSngton  S 1913 

Nugent,  Frank  Louis 1901 

Nutting,  J.  Frank 1916 

O'Neil,  David  W 1910 

Oppenheimer,  Julius 1911 

O'Rourke,  John  F 1909 

Orvis,  Edwin  W 1902 

Osborn,  Herbert 1909 

Osborne,  Loyall  Allen 1907 

Ottley,  James  Henry 1909 

Outerbridge,  A.  Emilius.. . .  1912 

Outerbridge,  Eugenius  H.. .  1903 

Outerbridge,  Frank  R 1916 

Owen,  Raymond  M 1909 

Owens,  William  W.,  Jr 1902 

Parker,  Forrest  H 1891 

Parr,  Benjamin 191 5 

Parson,  Hubert  T 1916 

Parsons,  Frank  H 1917 

Parsons,  Harry  de 

Berkeley 1902 

Parsons,  William  H 1885 

Pate,  William  C 1902 

Patrick,  Charles  H 1897 


APPENDIX 


28s 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Patterson,  William  A 1916 

Peabody,  Charles  A 1910 

Peabody,  George  Foster 1886 

Pearce,  Edward  E 191 1 

Peaslee,  Edward  H 1901 

Peck,  Charles  Edmund. . . .  1909 

Peck,  Wallace  F 1916 

Peck,  William  E 1904 

Perkins,  George  W 1902 

Perkins,  Robert  P 1903 

Perkins,  William  H 1888 

Perkins,  William  M 1906 

Perry,  John  Moore, 

St.  James,  L.  1 1916 

Peters,  Ralph 1913 

Peters,  Samuel  T 1887 

Peters,  William  R 1897 

Philips,  William  P 1912 

Phillips,  John  B 1902 

Pierce,  Wallace  L., 

Boston,  Mass 1907 

Pierson,  Lewis  E 1909 

Pinkus,  Frederick  S 1882 

Pirie,  Samuel  C 1910 

Piatt,  Abner  H 1917 

Piatt,  Willard  H 1897 

Piatt,  Willard  Rice 1914 

Platten,  John  W 1910 

Plimpton,  George  A 1895 

Pollock,  Walter  B 1909 

Pomeroy,  Daniel  E 191 1 

Poor,  J.  Harper 1911 

Poor,  Ruel  W 1897 

Porges,  Gustave 1912 


NAME  DATE   OF  ELECTION 

Porter,  H.  Hobart 1904 

Porter,  William  H 1893 

Post,  Charles  H 1898 

Post,  George  A 1912 

Post,  George  B 1908 

Post,  James  H 1902 

Potter,  Frederick 1901 

Potter,  James  Brown 1895 

Potts,  Charles  E 1916 

Potts,  William  B 1905 

Potts,  William  R 1895 

Pratt,  Charles  M 1885 

Pratt,  Dallas  B 1901 

Pratt,  Edward  Ewing 191 7 

Pratt,  Frederic  B 1898 

Pratt,  Harold  1 1907 

Prendergast,  William  A 1909 

Prentiss,  John  Wing 1909 

Presbrey,  Frank 1912 

Pressprich,  Reginald  W 1915 

Price,  Joseph  M 1911 

Price,  Walter  W 1917 

Probst,  Arthur  O 1906 

Probst,  John  D 1902 

Prosser,  Seward 191 5 

Prosser,  Thomas 1906 

Vvxyn,  Robert  C, 

Albany,  N.  Y 1901 

Pugsley,  Cornelius  A 1897 

Pxilleyn,  John  J 1912 

Putnam,  William  A 1891 

Pyne,  M.  Taylor 1902 

Pyne,  Percy  R 1902 


Quinlan,  James 1907 


R 


Rainey,  Paul  J 1906 

Ramsay,  Dick  S 1891 

Ramsey,  George 1909 

Rand,  Charles  F 1903 

Randall,  Henry  M 1909 


Randle,  Arthur  E., 

Washington,  D.  C 1902 

Raven,  Anton  A 1897 

Rawitser,  Herman 1914 

Raymond,  Arthur  B 191 2 


286 


APPENDIX 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Raymond,  George  H 191 1 

Raymond,  Irving  E 1906 

Ray  nor,  Forrest 1900 

Rea,  Samuel, 

Philadelphia,  Pa 1903 

Read,  George  R 1905 

Reid,  A.  Duncan 1917 

Reid,  Daniel  G 1903 

Reid,  David  C 191 7 

Reid,  Ogden  Mills 1910 

Reid,  Wallace 1909 

Reimer,  Otto  E 1907 

Remington,  Franklin 19 10 

Renken,  Frederick 1912 

Renshaw,  Charles 1914 

Rhoades,  John  Harsen 1903 

Rhodes,  Bradford 1899 

Richard,  Edwin  A 1913 

Richard,  Oscar  L 1903 

Richards,  Charles  A 1916 

Richards,  E.  Ira 1906 

Richards,  Ellis  G 1902 

Richards,  Eugene  Lamb. . .  1914 

Richards,  Lowell  L 1913 

Richardson,  D wight  S 1897 

Richmond,  Stacy  C 1916 

Richter,  Charles  J 1896 

Ridgely,  William  Barret, 

Washington,  D.  C 1907 

Riker,  John  J 191 2 

Ring,  Welding 1897 

Rionda,  Manuel 1916 

Ris,  Bernard 1917 

Ritchie,  Ryerson, 

Detroit,  Mich 1914 

Robert,  Francis  B 191 7 

Robert,  Samuel 1909 

Robertson,  Louis  J 191 7 

Robinson,  Allan 1917 

Sabin,  Charles  H 1915 

Sachs,  Arthur 1911 

Sachs,  Harry 1900 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Robinson,  Andrew  J 1897 

Robinson,  Douglas 1901 

Robinson,  Drew  King 1906 

Robinson,  George  N 1902 

Robson,  Theodore 1889 

Rockefeller,  John  D 1889 

Rockefeller,  John  D.,  Jr.  . .   1900 

Rockefeller,  William 1888 

Roe,  Frank  O 1916 

Roebling,  Washington  A., 

Trenton,  N.  J 1902 

Rogers,  Allen  Merrill 1906 

Rogers,  Charles  B., 

Utica,  N.  Y 1901 

Rogers,  Edgar  W 1916 

Rogers,  Edward  L 1905 

Rogers,  Hubert  E 1916 

Rogers,  Noah  C 1904 

Rohaut,  Albert 1917 

Romer,  Alfred 1896 

Rosen,  Walter  T 1915 

Rosenbaum,  Henry  C 1898 

Rosenfeld,  William  1 1902 

Rossiter,  Clinton  L 1912 

Rossiter,  Edward  L 1904 

Rothschild,  Simon  F 1902 

Rothschild,  V.  Sydney 1897 

Rousmaniere,  John  E 191 6 

Rowe,  Frederick  W 1914 

Ruhl,  Louis 1917 

Runyon,  Carman  R 1906 

Runyon,  Edward  Wheelock  191 7 

Runyon,  Walter  Clark 191 7 

Rusch,  Henry  A 1917 

Rushmore,  Townsend 1903 

Russell,  Archibald  D 1896 

Ryan,  John  D 1915 

Ryan,  Thomas  F 1897 

Ryle,  Arthur 1899 

Sachs,  Paul  J., 

Cambridge,  Mass 191 1 

Sachs,  Samuel 1886 


APPENDIX 


287 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Sachs,  Walter  E 191 1 

Salomon,  Arthur  K 191 7 

Salomon,  William 1886 

Salt,  Albert  L 1916 

Sampson,  Charles  E 1910 

Sanchez,  Ricardo, 

Liverpool,  England 1914 

Sanderson,  Lloyd  Bowen. . .  1903 

Satterlee,  Ernest  K 1917 

Satterlee,  Herbert  L 1904 

Saunders,  William  L 1907 

Savage,  Edward  S 191 2 

Sawyer,  Philip 1910 

Scammell,  Frederick  E 191 7 

Schaefer,  Edward  C 1905 

Schaefer,  Henry 1906 

Schaefer,  J.  Louis 1909 

Schaffer,  Frank 1910 

Schall,  William,  Jr 1897 

Schanck,  George  Edgar 1890 

Schenck,  Edwin  S 1907 

Schenck,  Henry  A 1909 

Scherer,  Oscar 1900 

Schieflfelin,  William  Jay. . . .  1894 

Schieren,  Charles  A 1909 

Schierenberg,  August 1908 

Schiff,  Jacob  H 1889 

Schiff,  Mortimer  L 1899 

Schlesinger,  Leo 1902 

Schmelzel,  James  H 1907 

Schnakenberg,  Daniel 1899 

Schniewind,  Heinrich 19 10 

Schoonmaker,  Sylvanus  L, .  1904 

Schreiber,  Otto  A 1910 

Schuster,  Richard 1904 

Schwab,  Charles  M 1902 

Schwab,  Gustav 1909 

Schwarz,  Paul 1893 

Scott,  Donald 191 1 

Scott,  Walter 1913 

Seagrist,  Francis  K 191 2 

Seaman,  Henry  B., 

Washington,  D.  C 1909 

Seaman,  Howard  C 1916 


NAME  DATE  OP  ELECTION 

Sears,  Joseph  D 1917 

Sears,  Joseph  Hamblen. . . .  1910 

See,  Alonzo  B 1903 

Seed,  John  H 1890 

Seggermann,  Frederick  K. .  191 1 

Seko,  Konosuke 1917 

Selig,  Arthur  L 1917 

Seligman,  Henry 1899 

Seligman,  Jefferson 1902 

Seligman,  Joseph  L 191 1 

Semler,  George 1905 

Senff,  Frederick  W., 

Newburgh,  N.  Y 1911 

Shainwald,  Ralph  L 1902 

Shallcross,  Cecil  F 1904 

Shattuck,  Albert  R 1897 

Shaw,  Munson  G 1914 

Shaw,  Robert  Alfred 191 5 

Shaw,  Walter  W., 

Bournemouth,  England  1907 

Shaw,  William  N 1910 

Sheldon,  Edward  W 1907 

Sheldon,  George  R 1894 

Sherer,  William 1891 

Sherman,  Charles  Austin. . .  1909 

Shibley,  Fred  W 1917 

Shoninger,  Bernard  J 1903 

Shoninger,  Charles 1903 

Shonts,  Theodore  P 1915 

Sicher,  Dudley  D 1918 

Sickel,  William  G 1912 

Sidenberg,  Charles 1903 

Siedenburg,  Reinhard 1893 

Siegbert,  Julius 1909 

Simmons,  Charles  H 1897 

Simmons,  Francis  R 1904 

Simmons,  John  S 1903 

Simmons,  Joseph  F 1900 

Simmons,  Wallace  D., 

St.  Louis,  Mo 1905 

Simmons,  William 1918 

Simmons,  Z,  G., 

Kenosha,  Wis 191 1 

Simonson,  William  A 1902 


288 


APPENDIX 


NAME  DATE  OP  ELECTION 

Simpson,  Ernest  L 1906 

Simpson,  William  L.  H.  . . .  1909 

Sisson,  Francis  H 191 7 

Sizer,  Robert  R 1902 

Skinner,  William 1898 

Skougaard,  Jens  C.  L 1905 

Slade,  Francis  Louis 19 13 

Slater,  John 1906 

Slee,  J.  Noah  H 1906 

Sleicher,  John  A 1909 

Sloan,  Benson  Bennett 1915 

Sloan,  Samuel 191 1 

Sloane,  Henry  T 1899 

Sloane,  John 1906 

Sloane,  Malcolm  Douglas.  .  1915 

Sloane,  William 1897 

Slocum,  Thomas  W 1901 


Sm: 
Smi 
Sm 
Sm 
Sm 


Smith,  Charles  Herbert. . . .   1902 


Sm; 
Smi 
Smi 


th,  Alfred  Gilbert 1906 

th,  Alfred  H 1914 

th,  Arthur  L.  J 1913 

th,  Arthur  M 1915 

th,  Augustine  J 1906 


th,  Elijah  P 1891 

th,  Freeborn  G 1915 

th,  Howard  C 1894 


Smith,  J.  Waldo 1909 

Smith,  James  A 1905 

Smith,  Joseph  K 1917 

Smith,  iMerritt  Haviland. . .  1909 

Smith,  Robert  A.  C 1889 

Smith,  William  Frothingham  1906 

Smithers,  Francis  S 1890 

SmuU,  J.  Barstow 191 7 

Snook ,  Thomas  Edward ....  1 9 1 2 

Snow,  Elbridgc  G 1902 

Snyder,  Valentine  P 1902 

Soper,  George  A 1912 

Sorcnson,  John  S 1916 

Sorzano,  Julio  F 1889 

South  wick,  Francis  H 1901 

Spadone,  Henry 1916 

Sparks,  T.  Ashley 191 2 

Sparks,  William  J 1917 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Speers,  James  M 1910 

Spence,  Lewis  H 1901 

Sperry,  William  M 1914 

Speyer,  James 1891 

Spiegelberg,  Isaac  N 1900 

Spiegelberg,  William  1 1897 

Spofford,  Charles  A 1914 

Sprague,  Frank  J 1910 

Stanley,  Edward  0 1906 

Starbuck,  Charles  A 1909 

Stauffen,  Ernest,  Jr 191 1 

Stearns,  John  N 1918 

Stebbins,  Horace  Chase. ...  191 1 

Steele,  Charles 1912 

Steele,  Sanford  H 1903 

Steers,  Henry 1910 

Stein,  Fred  M 1902 

Steinway,  Charles  H 1897 

Stern,  Leopold 1897 

Stem,  Louis 1889 

Sternbach,  Morris 1902 

Sternfeld,  Theodore 191 2 

Sterrett,  Joseph  E 191 3 

Stettinius,  Edward  R 1916 

Stevens,  John  P 1913 

Stevens,  W.  Tyrie 1915 

Stewart,  Duncan  M 1917 

Stewart,  James  C 1916 

Stewart,  John  A 1891 

Stewart,  John  W 1918 

Stewart,  Lispenard 1899 

Stewart,  Louis 1911 

Stewart,  William  Rhine- 
lander 189s 

Stillman,  Charles 1909 

Stillman,  James 1886 

Stoddard,  Henry  L 19x5 

Stoddart,  Laurence  B 191a 

Stokes,  James 1873 

Stone,  Charles  A 1916 

Stone,  I.  Frank 1906 

Stotesbury,  Edward  T 190a 

Stout,  Andrew  Varick 1906 

Stout,  Charles  H 1899 


APPENDIX 


289 


NAICE  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Stout,  Joseph  S 1906 

Straight,  Willard 1914 

Stratton,  E.  Piatt 1915 

Straus,  Herbert  N 1906 

Straus,  Jesse  Isidor 1897 

Straus,  Nathan 1889 

Straus,  Percy  Selden 1900 

Strauss,  Albert 1902 

Strauss,  Frederick 1902 

Strauss,  Jacob 1901 

Strickland,  William  R 1917 

Strong,  Benjamin,  Jr 191 2 

Sturgis,  Frank  K. 1905 

Taintor,  Charies  N 1913 

Talcott,  J,  Frederick 1916 

Talmadge,  Henry  P 1887 

Talmage,  John  F 1906 

Tarns,  J.  Frederic 1917 

Tarbell,  Gage  E 1900 

Tatanis,  Petros  P 1910 

Tatnall,  Henry, 

Philadelphia,  Pa 1903 

Taussig,  Walter  M 1909 

Tajdor,  George  C 1915 

Taylor,  James  W 1907 

Taylor,  Willard  U 1917 

Taylor,  William  A 1913 

Ta3dor,  William  H 1905 

Tenncy,  Charies  H 1884 

Tenoey,  Daniel  G 1897 

Terry,  John  T 1913 

Thayer,  Harry  B 1904 

Thayer,  J.  Warren, 

Scarsdale,  N.  Y 1909 

Thorn,  William  B 1895 

Thomas,  Edward  Russell, 

Paris,  France 1897 

Thomas,  Eugene  P 1913 

Thomas,  Ransom  H 1902 

Tlwoias,  Seth  E.,  Jr 1910 

ThoiqMon,  Henry  Burling, 

Wilmington,  Del 1907 


MAKE  DATE  07  ELECnON 

Suffem,  Robert  A,, 

London,  England 1913 

Sulzberger,  Cyrus  L 1897 

Sumner,  Charles  P 1909 

Surbrug,  John  W 1898 

Sutpben,  Henry  R 191 7 

Sutro,  Lionel 1901 

Sutro,  Richard 1901 

Swenson,  Eric  Pierson 1901 

Switzer,  Frederick  E X913 

Swords,  Henry  C 1894 

Sylvester,  A.  L 1902 

Symington,  Robert  B 1915 

Thompson,  Henry  S 1910 

Thompson,  J.  Walter 1903 

Thompson,  William  B 1915 

Thomson,  James, 

New  Bedford,  Mass .. .  1916 

Thorbum,  Alfred  M 1909 

Thome,  Gilbert  G 1906 

Thome,  John  W 1917 

Thome,  Jonathan 1885 

Tiemann,  Louis  S 1917 

Tiemey,  Myles 1905 

mford,  Frank 1889 

Tilney,  John  S 1887 

Tim,  Louis  B 1902 

Timms,  Walter  B 1917 

Timolat,  James  Guyon 1910 

Tingue,  William  J 1907 

Toch,  Henry  M 1916 

Toch,  Maximilian 1916 

Tod,  J.  Kennedy 1891 

Tomkins,  Calvin 1897 

Towne,  Henry  R 1896 

Townsend,  Edward 1905 

Townsend,  J.  Heniy 1904 

Tracy,  Marcxis  H 1910 

Treadwell,  Harry  Hayden. .  1901 

Tremaine,  Harry  B 1916 

Trevor,  John  B 1906 

Tripp,  Guy  E 1914 


290 


APPENDIX 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Trowbridge,  Charles  A 1910 

Trowbridge,  Edmund  Q.  .  .  1910 

Trowbridge,  George  F 1905 

Trumbull,  Frank 1913 

Tuck,  Edward, 

Paris,  France 1876 

Tully,  William  J 1914 

Tumbull,  Frank  S 1917 

Ullmann,  Samuel 1914 

Ulman,  Julien  Stevens 1913 

Underwood,  Frederick  D. . .  1901 


U 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Turner,  John  M., 

San  Juan,  P.  R 1912 

Turnure,  George 1907 

Tuttle,  William  P 191 5 

Tuttle,  Winthrop  M 191 7 

Twining,  Edmund  S 1916 

Twitchell,  Herbert  K 1911 

Tyner,  Charles  L 1912 

Underwood,  John  T 1910 

Urban,  George,  Jr., 

Buffalo,  N.Y 1901 


Vail,  Theodore  N 1915 

Van  Antwerp,  William  C. . .  1915 
Van  Buskirk,  De  Witt, 

Bayonne,  N.  J 1917 

Van  Cleaf,  John  C ,.  1906 

Vanderbilt,  Cornelius 1900 

Vanderhoef ,  Harman  B . . . .  1898 

Vanderlip,  Frank  A 1903 

Van  Dusen,  Samuel  C 1902 

Van  Inwegen,  Charles  F,, 

Port  Jervis,  N.  Y 1901 

Van  Norden,  Warner  M .  .  .  1897 

Van  Tuyl,  George  C,  Jr. . .  1915 

VanVleck,  Joseph,  Jr 191 2 

Walker,  Alexander 1906 

Walker,  Elisha 1917 

Walker,  Richard  L 1913 

Wallace,  James  N 1915 

Wallace,  John  F 1909 

Wallis,  Frederick  A 191 7 

Walter,  William  1 1897 

Walton,  David  S 1897 

Walworth,  Charles  W 1916 

Wanamaker,  John 1901 

Wanamaker,  Rodman 191 2 


Vickers,  H.  Mount  ague. ...  191 5 

Vickers,  Thomas  L 1877 

Viet,  Richard  C 191 7 

Vietor,  Carl  L 1913 

Vietor,  Ernest  G 1917 

Vietor,  George  F.,  Jr 191 2 

Vietor,  Thomas  F 1906 

Villa,  Alfonso  P 1912 

Vogel,  Martin 1914 

Vogelstein,  Ludwig 191 2 

Von  Dohlen,  Lawrence  M. .  1916 

Von  Stade,  Frederick  H 1897 

Vreeland,  Herbert  H 1902 


W 


Warburg,  Felix  M 1897 

Warburg,  Paul  M 1903 

Ward,  George  Gray 1894 

Ward,  John  G 1913 

Warden,  David  T 1917 

Waring,  Arthur  B 1897 

Warner,  Charles  Blaine. . . .  1913 

Warner,  Franklin  H 1916 

Warner,  George  H 1916 

Warner,  James  Ward 191 5 

Warner,  Lucien  C 1886 


APPENDIX 


291 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Warren,  Charles  H 191 1 

Warren,  Dorman  T 1881 

Warren,  William  R 1900 

Waterbury,  John  1 1895 

Watson,  Arthur  W 1894 

Watson,  John  J.,  Jr 191 1 

Watson,  Thomas  L 1915 

Watts,  Ridley 1907 

Weaver,  S.  Fullerton 191 5 

Webb,  H.  St.  John 1915 

Webb,  Silas  D 1899 

Weil,  Edmond 1915 

Welch,  Alex.  McMillan. . . .  191 5 

Weld,  Francis  M 1911 

Wells,  William  Storrs 1901 

Welsh,  S.  Charles 1897 

Wertheim,  Jacob 191 1 

West,  William  T 1912 

Whalen,  John 1905 

Wheeler,  Schuyler  S., 

Ampere,  N.  J 1894 

Wheelock,  WilUam  E 1910 

Wheelock,  William  H 1901 

Whicher,  Louis  E 1915 

White,  Alfred  T 1897 

White,  Francis  F 1909 

White,  James  G 1897 

White,  Major  A 1913 

White,  William  Augustus.  1897 

Whitehouse,  J.  Henry 1894 

Whitman,  Clarence 1897 

Whitman,  C.  Morton 1914 

Whitman,  Nathaniel 1890 

Whitmarsh,  Theodore  F .. .  1910 

Whitney,  Alfred  Rutgers,  Jr.  1909 

Wickes,  Edward  A 1872 

Wickham,  William  HuU.. . .  1883 

Wiggin,  Albert  H 1904 

Wilkinson,  James 1910 

Willard,  LeBaron  Sands... .  1913 

Willcox,  William  G 1910 

Willcox,  William  R 1904 

Willets,  Howard, 

White  Plains,  N.Y....  1892 


NAME  DATE  OP  ELECTION 

Williams,  Arthur 1911 

Williams,  Benjamin  A 1907 

Williams,  Clark 1902 

Williams,  Frank  S 1888 

Williams,  Henry  K.  S 1910 

Williams,  John  J 1906 

Williams,  Richard  H 1887 

Williams,  William  H 1914 

Williams,  William  Henry.. .   191 7 

Willis,  Grinnell 1904 

Wills,  Charles  Sinclair 1902 

Wilson,  George 1917 

Wilson,  George  T 1896 

Wilson,  Henry  R 1901 

Wilson,  John  A., 

Tenafly,  N.  J 1902 

Wilson,  Marshall  Orme ... .   1890 

WUson,  Richard  T.,  Jr 1890 

Wimpfheimer,  Adolph 1897 

Wimpfheimer,  Charles  A. . .   1909 

Wingate,  Roy  W 1913 

Winslow,  Clarion  B 1917 

Winter,  Edwin  W 1909 

Winter,  Hermann 191 2 

Witherspoon,  Charles  G 1913 

Wittenberg,  Charles  J 1905 

Wolf,  Edwin  H 1905 

Wolfe,  Henderson  M 1909 

WoUman,  William  J 1909 

Wood,  John  H 1887 

Wood,  Otis  F 1898 

Wood,  William  S 1917 

Wood,  Willis  D 1907 

Woodin,  William  H 1902 

Woodward,  Hedley  R 191 2 

Woodward,  William 1904 

Woolley,  Clarence  M 191 7 

Woolverton,  Samuel 1899 

Wool  worth,  Frank  W 1904 

Work,  Bertram  G 1915 

Wotherspoon,  William 

Wallace 1912 

Wray,  Alexander  H 1903 

Wright,  Solomon 1917 


292  APPENDIX 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Yardley,  Farnham 1913 

Yoakum,  Benjamin  F 1908 


Zabriskie,  Elmer  T 191 5 

Zabriskie,  George  A 191 1 

Zehnder,  Charles  H 1908 


NAME  DATE  OF  ELECTION 

Yohe,  John  W 1917 

Young,  Richard 1891 


Ziegler,  William,  Jr 1913 

Zinkeisen,  Max 1913 

Zittel,  Frederick 1904 


There  are  three  classes  of  members,  resident,  non-resident,  and 
honorary.    Those  whose  addresses  are  given  are  non-resident. 

The  total  membership  on  March  7,  1918,  was  as  follows: 

Resident  members i>527 

Non-Resident  members 91 

Honorary  members 9 

Total  membership 1,627 


vni 

CATALOGUE  OF  PORTRAITS  AND  SCULPTURE 
Portraits 


KO. 

NO. 

I. 

John  Cruger. 

35- 

2. 

Hugh  WaUace. 

36. 

3- 

Elias  Desbrosses. 

37. 

4. 

Henry  White. 

38. 

5. 

Theophylact  Bache. 

39. 

6. 

William  Walton. 

40. 

7. 

Isaac  Low. 

41. 

8. 

John  Alsop. 

42. 

9- 

John  Broome. 

43. 

10. 

Comfort  Sands. 

44. 

II. 

John  Murray. 

45- 

12. 

Cornelius  Ray. 

46. 

13. 

William  Bayard. 

47. 

14. 

Robert  Lenox. 

48. 

15. 

Isaac  Carow. 

49. 

16. 

James  De  Peyster  Ogden. 

SO. 

17- 

James  Gore  King. 

51- 

18. 

Moses  H.  Grinnell. 

52. 

19. 

Elias  Hicks. 

53- 

20. 

Pelatiah  Pent. 

54- 

21. 

Abiel  Abbot  Low. 

55- 

22. 

William  E.  Dodge. 

S6. 

23. 

Samuel  D.  Babcock. 

24. 

George  W.  Lane. 

57. 

25. 

James  M.  Brown. 

58. 

26. 

Charles  S.  Smith. 

59- 

27. 

Alexander  E.  Orr. 

60. 

28. 

Morris  K.  Jesup. 

61. 

29. 

James  Boorman. 

62. 

30. 

Royal  Phelps. 

63. 

31. 

Jonathan  Sturges. 

64. 

32. 

George  Opdyke. 

65- 

33- 

Simeon  B.  Chittenden. 

66. 

34. 

Solon  Humphreys. 

67. 

William  H.  Fogg. 
Josiah  M.  Fiske. 
Cornelius  N.  Bliss. 
William  E.  Dodge  (2d). 
Cornelius  Vanderbilt  (2d). 
J.  Pierpont  Morgan. 
William  H.  Webb. 
J.  Edward  Simmons. 
John  D.  Rockefeller. 
Andrew  Carnegie. 
John  S.  Kennedy. 
Henry  I.  Wyckoff. 
John  A.  Stevens. 
Matthew  Maury. 
George  Wilson. 
Alexander  Hamilton. 
Daniel  D.  Tompkins. 
Albert  Gallatin. 
John  Sherman. 
Carl  Schurz. 

General  Ulysses  S.  Grant. 
General   William    T.    Sher- 
man. 
General  Philip  H.  Sheridan. 
Admiral  David  G.  Farragut. 
De  Witt  Clinton. 
De  Witt  Clinton. 
John  A.  King. 
Edwin  D.  Morgan. 
John  A.  Dix. 
Enoch  L.  Fancher. 
Cadwallader  Colden. 
Francis  Egerton, 
Richard  Cobden. 


293 


294 

APPENDIX 

NO. 

NO. 

68. 

John  Bright. 

112. 

Horace  B.  Claflin. 

69. 

Samuel  Morley. 

113- 

Jeremiah  Milbank. 

70. 

Gideon  Lee. 

114. 

Robert  H.  McCurdy. 

71. 

Ambrose  C.  Kingsland, 

"S- 

John  Caswell. 

72. 

William  F.  Havemeyer. 

116. 

Jacob  Barker. 

73- 

Cyrus  W.  Field. 

117. 

Daniel  Drake  Smith. 

74- 

Cyrus  W.  Field. 

118. 

Alfred  S.  Barnes. 

75- 

George  Peabody. 

119. 

James  Brown. 

76. 

Junius  S.  Morgan. 

120. 

Andrew  V.  Stout. 

77- 

John  Jacob  Astor. 

121. 

John  S.  WilUams. 

78. 

William  B.  Astor. 

122. 

George  L.  Nichols. 

79. 

John  Jacob  Astor  (2d). 

123. 

George  Jones. 

80. 

Cornelius  Vanderbilt. 

124. 

Ezra  Nye. 

81. 

William  H.  Vanderbilt. 

125. 

Benjamin  H.  Field. 

82. 

Kinloch  Stuart. 

126. 

Elihu  Spicer. 

S3. 

Robert  L.  Stuart. 

127. 

Casper  Meier. 

84. 

Robert  McCrea. 

128. 

EUiott  F.  Shepard. 

85. 

Peter  Cooper. 

129. 

William  Walter  Phelps. 

86. 

John  David  Wolfe. 

130- 

Luman  Reed. 

87. 

Preserved  Fish. 

131. 

Joseph  Francis. 

88. 

David  Leavitt. 

132. 

Eugene  Kelly. 

89. 

Francis  Skiddy. 

^33- 

Benjamin  B.  Sherman. 

90. 

Gustav  Schwab. 

134. 

Ambrose  Snow. 

91. 

ElUot  C.  Cowdin. 

135- 

John  D.  Jones. 

92. 

Anson  G.  Phelps. 

136. 

Henry  F.  Spaulding. 

93. 

George  T.  Hope. 

137. 

Hugh  N.  Camp. 

94. 

Jeremiah  P.  Robinson. 

138. 

Jackson  S.  Schultz. 

95- 

Thomas  B.  Coddington. 

139- 

Christian  G.  Gunther. 

96. 

George  W.  Blunt. 

140. 

F.  Frederic  Gunther. 

97. 

Walter  R.  Jones. 

141. 

Frederick  A.  Conkling. 

98. 

Loring  Andrews. 

142. 

John  P.  Paulison. 

99. 

Joshua  Bates. 

143. 

John  Roach. 

100. 

Samuel  B.  Ruggles. 

144- 

Richard  Kelly. 

lOI. 

Robert  Ray. 

145- 

William  Denning. 

102. 

John  C.  Green. 

146. 

Henry  B.  Hyde. 

103. 

Charles  H,  Marshall. 

147. 

Charies  Butler. 

104. 

James  Stokes. 

148. 

Henry  Casimir  De  Rham, 

105. 

Marshall  0.  Roberts. 

149- 

James  S.  T.  Stranahan. 

106. 

John  Jay  Phelps. 

150. 

Hanson  K.  Coming. 

107. 

Paul  SpofiEord. 

151. 

Moses  Taylor. 

io8. 

Thomas  Tileston. 

152. 

Edward  K.  Collins. 

109. 

Rxifus  Prime. 

153- 

Richard  Irvin. 

no. 

George  T.  Trimble. 

154. 

Silas  Holmes. 

III. 

Isaac  Sherman. 

iss. 

David  Dews. 

APPENDIX                               295 

NO. 

NO. 

IS6. 

Frederick  S.  Winston. 

189. 

Samuel  Marsh. 

157- 

Thomas  Dunham. 

190. 

Horace  B.  Claflin. 

158. 

Jacob  Lorillard. 

191. 

Levi  P.  Morton. 

159- 

John  Jay  Knox. 

192. 

Daniel  F.  Appleton. 

160. 

James  Lenox. 

193- 

Oswald  Ottendorfer. 

161. 

Richard  Lathers. 

194. 

Charles  Lanier. 

162. 

Collis  P.  Huntington. 

195. 

General  Winfield  Scott. 

163. 

Charles  King. 

196. 

Abraham  Lincoln. 

164. 

Jesse  Seligman. 

197. 

William  B.  Dana. 

165. 

Joseph  Seligman. 

198. 

James  B.  Colgate. 

166. 

Theodore  A.  Havemeyer. 

199. 

Charles  G.  Landon. 

167. 

Henry  E.  Nesmith. 

200. 

George  Washington. 

168. 

Shepherd  Knapp. 

201. 

Chester  A.  Arthur. 

169. 

George  Bliss. 

202. 

J.  F.  D.  Lanier. 

170. 

George  S.  Coe. 

203. 

Robert  Ainslie. 

171. 

Josiah  Ome  Low. 

204. 

D.  Willis  James. 

172. 

Edward  H.  R.  Lyman. 

205. 

George  F.  Vietor. 

173- 

Theophylact  Bache. 

206. 

William  F.  Havemeyer. 

174. 

Charles  Lewis  Tiffany. 

207. 

Major- General    Alexander 

175- 

Hugh  H.  Hanna. 

McDougall. 

176. 

Amos  R.  Eno. 

208. 

John  Sloane. 

177. 

Alexander  T.  Stewart. 

209. 

Grover  Cleveland. 

178. 

Avistin  Corbin. 

210. 

A.  Barton  Hepburn. 

179. 

Walter  T.  Hatch. 

211. 

Charles  M.  Leupp. 

180. 

Francis  A.  Palmer. 

212. 

Vernon  H.  Brown. 

181. 

James  M.  Constable. 

213. 

Gustav  H.  Schwab. 

182. 

Alfred  Van  Santvoord. 

214. 

John  Crosby  Brown. 

183. 

Daniel  C.  Robbins. 

215- 

Isidor  Straus. 

184. 

William  Cullen  Bryant. 

216. 

William  Butler  Dimcan. 

185. 

Samuel  F.  B.  Morse. 

217. 

Sereno  S.  Pratt. 

186. 

Lieutenant  Otway  H,  Ber- 

218. 

James  J.  Hill. 

ryman. 

219. 

George  Wilson. 

187. 

The  Atlantic   Cable  Pro- 

220. 

George  A.  Heam. 

jectors. 

221. 

James  Talcott. 

188. 

Howard  Potter. 

SCULI 

rruRE 

Alexander  Hamilton. 

George  Griswold. 

De  Witt  Clinton. 

George  Washington. 

John  Jay. 

Benjamin  Franklin. 

Abram  S.  Hewitt. 

Robert  B.  Potter. 

Jonathan  Goodhue. 

IX 

PUBLICATIONS  BY  THE  CHAMBER 

In  addition  to  Annual  Reports  published  regularly  since  1858, 
the  Chamber  has  issued  the  following  special  publications: 

Colonial  Records  of  the  New  York  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1768- 
1784,  by  John  Austin  Stevens,  Jr. 

History  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1768-1856,  by  Charles 
King. 

Arbitration  Records  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1 779-1 792. 

Commercial  Arbitration,  1911. 

Rules  for  the  Prevention  of  Unnecessary  Litigation,  191 7. 

Opening  of  Building  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  State 
of  New  York,  1 768-1902.  (Contains  also  1902  Annual  Ban- 
quet.) 

Unveiling  of  the  Statues  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1903. 
(Also  contains  1903  Annual  Banquet.) 

Presentation  of  the  Clinton  Vases  and  Stuart's  Portrait  of  Wash- 
ington, 1908. 

Rapid  Transit  Report,  1905. 

A  Pledge  of  International  Friendship,  1901. 

One  Hundred  and  Thirty-second  Anniversary  of  the  Founding  of 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  April  5,  1900. 

The  Atlantic  Cable  Projectors,  1854-1895. 

Portrait  Gallery  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1890. 

Unveihng  of  the  Statue  of  William  E.  Dodge,  1885. 

Banquet  to  Honorable  Whitelaw  Reid,  Minister  to  France,  1892. 

Banquet  to  Foreign  and  United  States  Naval  Ofl&cers,  1893. 

Banquet  to  Honorable  Carl  Schurz,  1899. 

Proceedings  at  Annual  Banquet,  1890-1913  inclusive,  and  1915- 
1916  inclusive. 

Monthly  Bulletins,  April,  1909,  to  date. 


296 


INDEX 


INDEX 


Adams,  Henry,  on  American  and  Brit- 
ish shipping,  48 

Adams,  John,  147;  his  picture  of  New 
York  in  1774,  25-27;  reply  of,  to 
Chamber's  declaration  of  loyalty,  50 

Adams,  John  Quincy,  55 

Admission  fee,  3,  7,  230,  251,  252 

Alabama,  the,  acts  of  piracy  of,  81, 82; 
destroyed  by  Kearsarge,  83,  84; 
claims,  awarded  United  States,  85 

Alaska  boundary  question,  206 

Alaska- Yukon  Exposition,  215 

Albany  Chamber  of  Commerce,  175 

Algerines,  41 

Alsop,  John,  25,  34;  first  president 
under  revived  charter,  40 

Alverstone,  Lord,  141 

Ambassadors,  at  annual  banquets,  213 

American  Seaman's  Friend  Society, 
176 

Anderson,  Major,  73,  74 

Anglo-French  Finance  Commission, 
216 

Anniversary  of  foimding  of  Chamber, 
looth,  91;  committee  on  celebra- 
tion of  isoth,  270 

Annual  report  of  the  Chamber,  first, 
68-70 

Appeals,  Committee  of,  123 

Arbitration,  Committee  of,  30,  53,  58, 
60,  62,  120-127,  268;  election  of, 
122, 123;  proposals  for  compulsory, 
121,122;  records  of,  f oimd  and  pub- 
lished, 120,  121;  Court  of,  created, 
124;  international,  126 

Arthur,  Chester  A.,  gratitude  of,  for 
Chamber's  confidence,  97;  hon- 
orary member  of  the  Chamber,  97; 
tribute  to,  97,  98;  address  of,  at 
dedication  of  Washington  statue, 
133;  address  recognizing  services  of 
Chamber,  135,  136;  portrait  of,  158 

Atlantic  cable,  69;  laying  of,  128-131 

Austria,  Chambers  of  Commerce  in,  2 

Avebury,  Lord,  141 

Bache,  Mr.,  14 

Bakers,  regulations  concerning,  31 


Balfour,  Rt.  Hon.  Arthur  James,  316; 
his  address  at  reception  to  War 
Commission,  217;  speech  of,  at 
luncheon,  218 

Bank,  Federal  Reserve,  report  and 
resolution  on,  223,  224 

Bank,  memorial  favoring  a  national, 
62 

Bank  of  England,  141 

Bank  of  New  York,  43, 52, 62;  organi- 
zation of,  44 

Bank  of  the  United  States,  memorial 
against  repeal  of  charter  of,  53 

Bankruptcy,  request  for  national  law 
concerning,  53,  54 

Banquets  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, commemorating  evacuation 
of  New  York,  135, 136;  earliest  an- 
nual, 179, 180;  ambassadors  at,  213; 
civil  and  military  officers  at,  179; 
annual,  abandoned  in  1773,  180; 
Fourthof  July,  181;  toWa^ington, 
35-37.  147, 182;  to  merchants,  182; 
resumed  in  1873,  as  permanent  in- 
stitution, 182;  the  modem  annual, 
182;  influence  of  modern,  183;  earli- 
est of  the  modem,  184-188;  York- 
town  centennial,  186, 187;  to  French 
delegation,  189-193;  of  1887,  194- 
196;  of  i888, 197-199;  of  1889, 199, 
200;  of  1890,  201-204;  of  1892  and 
1893,  205;  of  1896,  205,  206;  of 
1898,  206;  of  1901,  207,  208;  of 
1902,  208;  of  1904,  210,  211;  of 
1905,  211-213;  of  1906  to  1913,  213; 
omitted  in  1914,  213;  of  1915,  213 

Barge  canal  constmction,  223 

Baring  Brothers,  201 

Bartholdi,  A.,  speech  of,  at  banquet, 
192;  letter  from,  presenting  Sevres 
vase,  192 

Battenberg,  Prince  Louis  of,  reception 

to,  215 

Beck,  James  M.,  213 
Beecher,  Henry  Ward,  136 
Beekman,  Henry  R.,  106 
Belgium,  fimd  for  relief  of  sufferers  in, 
171 


299 


30O 


INDEX 


Bellows,  Rev.  Dr.  H.  W.,  185 

Bensel,  John  A.,  226 

Benson,  Egbert,  37 

Berlin  Chamber  of  Commerce,  161 

Bigelow,  John,  185 

Bills  of  exchange,  21 

Blackballing,  7,  59 

Blackwell,  Thomas  L.,  143 

Blagge,  John,  40 

Blaine,  James  G.,  tribute  to  Chamber 

by,  i8s 
Blair,  John,  148 
Bliss,  Cornelius  N.,  137;   his  tribute 

to  President  Arthur,  97,  98 
Blunt,  Mr.,  63 

Bolton  &  Sigel's  restaurant,  144,  145 
Bonded  Warehousemen,  176 
Boston,  22,  26,  27 
Bradford's  Coffee  House,  181 
Brady,  Judge,  185 
Brassey,  Lord,  143;  his  tribute  to  the 

Chamber,  140;  reception  given  by, 

142 
Bread,  regulation  of  price  and  quality 

of,  31 
Bread  casks,  construction  and  price 

of,  18,  19 
Bright,  John,  resolution  concerning, 
78;  letter  from,  78,  79;  portrait  of, 
158 
Bristow,  Caleb,  129 
British,  occupancy  of  New  York,  28- 
33;  evacuation  of  New  York,  $^,  34, 
T-35,  136;  privateering,  32,  33 
British  Ministry  of  Munitions,  Com- 
mission of,  219 
British  Peace  Commission,  194 
British  War  Commission,  216-218 
Broome,  John,  40 
Bryce,  James,  213 
Buckminster,  Mr.,  202 
Buffalo  Chamber  of  Commerce,  175 
Building,     permanent    Chamber    of 
Commerce,  subscription  of  fund  for, 
157;  description  of,  157, 158;  dedi- 
cation of,  158-161 
Buildings,  height  of,  223 
Burrstones,  French,  importation  of ,  20 
Business  men,  to  aid  government,  167 
Butler,  Governor  Benjamin  F.,  136 
Butler,  Nicholas  Murray,  213 
By-Laws  of  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
249-261;     revision    of    1787,    43; 
changes  in,  in  1818,  52,  53;  revised 
in  1828,  58;  motions  to  amend  4th 
article  of,  59;  amended  in  1854,  67 


Cable,  Atlantic,  69;  laying  of,  1 28-131 

Cambon,  Jules,  158,  161 

Camp  Whitman,  Committee  on  in- 
vestigation of,  270 

Canada,  commercial  union  with,  197, 
198;  fisheries  controversy  with,  194, 
197;   treaty  of  reciprocity  with,  68 

Canal,  construction,  95,  223;  Panama, 
101-103;  Ring  frauds,  94,  95 

Canal  Act  of  191 2,  102 

Cape,  John,  his  bill  for  banquet,  36, 
37 

Cape's  Tavern,  35-37 

Carnegie,  Andrew,  141,  143,  213 

Carroll,  Dr.,  49 

Car  tar et,  the,  32 

Carter,  James  C,  196 

Casks,  bread,  construction  and  price 
of,  18,  19 

Catskill  Water  Supply  System,  the, 
225,  226 

Chadwick,  Charles  N.,  226 

Chagres  River,  55,  56 

Chamber  of  Commerce  of  New  York, 
oldest  institution  of  its  kind,  i;  in- 
dependence of,  1,  2;  purpose  and 
plan  of,  2,  3;  founding  of,  2-4,  229- 
232;  first  home  of,  4;  2d  and  3d 
meetings  of,  6;  2d  home  of,  8;  atti- 
tude toward  British  taxation,  10, 11; 
royal  charter  granted  to,  12;  public 
service  of,  during  colonial  period, 
17-24;  stand  for  sound  money,  17, 
18,  23,  42,  114-119;  devotion  to 
welfare  of  the  community  and  fair 
dealing  in  trade,  characteristics 
of,  18-22,  29,  40;  during  Revolu- 
tion, 28-33;  loyal  to  BritSh,  29-33; 
reorganization  of,  as  patriotic  body, 
39-51;  petition  of,  for  confirmation 
of  charter,  39, 40;  name  changed  un- 
der State  charter,  40;  first  meeting 
under  revived  charter,  40;  address 
to  Congress  on  subject  of  advance- 
ment of  commerce,  41 ;  readmission 
of  former  members,  43;  indifference 
among  members,  in  1788,  43;  pur- 
chase of  one  share  of  bank  stock  by, 
44;  action  concerning  Jay  treaty, 
47;  declaration  and  resolution  as  to 
misunderstandings  with  France,  50; 
no  meetings  between  1806  and  181 7, 
51;  assets  of,  in  1817  and  1818,  52; 
purchase  of  shares  in  Eagle  Fire 
Insurance  Company,  52;  rental  of 
room  in  Tontine  Coffee  House,  53: 


INDEX 


3or 


memorials  to  Congress  on  various 
trade  and  commerce  matters,  53; 
attitude  toward  tariff,  53,  62,  63; 
many  memorials  to  Congress  in 
1822  and  1823,  54;  attitude  toward 
free  trade,  54,  55,  63;  first  meeting 
in  Merchants'  Exchange,  55;  ex- 
penses of,  in  1827,  57;  suggests  can- 
didates for  Court  of  Common  Pleas, 
57;  consulted  as  to  changes  in  judi- 
ciary system,  57;  petitions  of,  to 
Congress  regarding  harbor  improve- 
ment, 60;  steps  taken  in  1840  to 
extend  usefulness  of,  61,  62;  assets 
in  1841,62;  action  to  improve  trade 
and  commerce,  65;  effort,  in  1854, 
to  extend  usefulness,  65,  66;  mem- 
bership in  1856,  68;  annual  report 
published  by,  68-70;  support  of 
government  in  1861,  71-76;  resolu- 
tion concerning  government  loans, 
74;  resolution  concerning  legal- 
tender,  76;  resolutions  of  1863,  on 
state  of  the  country,  77;  resolution 
concerning  John  Bright,  78;  reso- 
lutions in  praise  of  Farragut,  79; 
memorials  on  subject  of  harbor  de- 
fense, 85;  resolutions  on  receiving 
news  of  Lee's  surrender,  86,  87; 
memorial  to  Lincoln,  88;  support 
pledged  to  President  Johnson,  89; 
efforts  to  restore  friendly  relations 
between  North  and  South,  90,  91; 
resolutions  of  1865,  pledging  re- 
newed support  to  government,  90; 
one  hundredth  anniversary  of 
founding  of,  91;  efforts  to  advance 
trade  and  commerce,  92;  reforms  in 
city  government  accomplished  by, 
92-95;  a  non-political  body,  92; 
fund  raised  by,  to  investigate  Tam- 
many misrule,  93;  action  in  Canal 
Ring  frauds,  94,  95;  addresses  and 
resolutions  on  death  of  Garfield,  96, 
97;  support  pledged  to  President 
Arthur,  97;  support  of  government 
on  question  of  war  with  Spain,  99- 
loi;  services  of,  in  creating  an  un- 
derground railway,  106-113;  atti- 
tude toward  specie  payments,  114; 
support  of  President  Cleveland,  117, 
n8;  opposition  to  free  silver,  115- 
117,  119;  in  campaign  of  1900,  119; 
services  in  presidential  campaign  of 
1896, 117, 118;  success  of  system  of 
arbitration,  120-127;  project  of  lay- 


ing cable  supported  by,  128-131; 
Washington  and  Sherman  statues 
presented  to  city  by,  132-138;  en- 
tertained by  London  Chamber  of 
Commerce,  139-143;  early  tem- 
porary homes  of,  144-154;  need  of 
permanent  home  felt,  155;  building 
fund  subscribed  by,  157;  resolu- 
tions pledging  support  of  govern- 
ment in  war  with  Germany,  165, 
166;  patriotic  services  in  war  with 
Germany,  164-168;  relief  funds 
raised  by,  169-172;  first  annual 
banquets  of,  179,  180;  first  dinner 
in  honor  of  government  of  United 
States  given  by,  180, 181;  banquets 
given  by,  from  1787  to  1805,  181, 
182;  moidem  banquets  given  by, 
184  et  seq.;  influence  of  modem 
banquets  of,  182,  183;  formal  re- 
ceptions given  by,  215-219;  vari- 
ous reports  of,  on  subjects  of  special 
interest,  223,  224;  services  of,  in 
construction  of  water-supply  sys- 
tem, 225,  226 

Chamberlain,  Rt.  Hon.  Joseph,  at 
annual  dinner  of  Chamber,  194;  his 
address,  195,  196 

Chambers  of  Commerce,  European, 
1,2 

Chambrun,  Comte  de,  215 

Champlain  monument,  215 

Charity  Fund,  Committee  on,  268 

Charleston,  S.  C,  fimd  for  earthquake 
sufferers  in,  171 

Charter,  the  original,  12-14,  57;  de- 
scription of,  13;  disapf>earance  of, 
14;  text  of,  233-241;  confirmation 
of,  39,  40;  text  of  the  reaflSrmed, 
242-248 

Chest,  treasurer's,  6,  231 

Chicago,  relief  of  fire  sufferers  in,  170 

China,  consular  agents  to,  64;  treaty 
with,  69 

Chinese  Military  and  Naval  Mission, 
216 

Chittenden,  S.  B.,  91 

Choate,  Joseph  H.,  on  Alabama  award, 
85;  on  Hay-Pauncefote  treaty,  102, 
103;  speech  at  banquet  commemo- 
rating evacuation  of  New  York,  136; 
official  reception  given  by,  139;  at 
London  banquet,  140-142;  his  ad- 
dress, 142;  comment  of,  on  London 
visit,  143;  compliment  paid  by,  to 
Mr.  Jesup,  143;  address  of,  in  pre- 


302 


INDEX 


senting  vases  and  portrait,  162, 163; 
at  preparedness  meeting,  165;  at 
banquet  of  1879,  185;  his  tribute  to 
Chamber,  212,  213;  reception  to, 
216;  last  speech  of,  218,  219 

Cholera  scare  of  1892,  the,  95 

Cigars,  early  use  of,  9 

City  cleaning,  30 

City  College,  177 

City  Hall,  meeting  held  in,  61;  Park, 

59 
City  Magistrate  Courts,  establishment 

of,  94 

Civil  War,  the,  71-86 

Claflin,  John,  107 

Clarke,  Bishop,  of  Rhode  Island,  21Z 

Clay,  Henry,  55 

Clayton-BiUwer  treaty,  the,  101 

Clearing  House  Loan  Committee,  116 

Clerk,  duties  of,  61 

Cleveland,  Grover,  and  the  Sherman 
Act,  116;  Washington  statue  un- 
veiled by,  133;  at  commemoration 
of  British  evacuation,  136;  his 
recognition  of  Chamber's  services  in 
sound-money  fight,  117;  letter  of, 
declining  to  accept  banquet,  118, 
119;  his  message  to  the  Chamber, 
194,  195;  speech  of,  at  banquet  of 
1889,  199;  at  banquet  of  1890,  201; 
speech  of,  at  banquet  of  1892,  205; 
address  of,  at  dedication  of  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce  building,  159; 
f)ortrait  of,  158 

Clinton,  De  Witt,  portrait  of,  158; 
statue  of,  58,  161,  162;  tribute  to, 
58;  vases  presented  to,  162,  163 

Clinton,  Governor  George,  banquets 
given  to  Washington  by,  35-38, 147 

Clinton  Hall,  meetings  in,  68 

Cobden,  Richard,  portrait  of,  158 

Coins,  fixed  value  for,  21,  23,  40;  cir- 
culation of  foreign,  23;  plugging 
of,  23 

Collector  of  the  Port  of  New  York,  1 76 

College  of  Commerce  and  Administra- 
tion, 177 

College  of  the  City  of  New  York,  177 

Collyer,  Rev.  Robert,  186 

Colon,  55 

"  Colonial  New  York,"  quoted,  5, 9, 27 

Colonies,  letter  suggesting  imion  of 
the,  147,  150 

Columbus,  descendants  of,  215 

Colimibus  Centennial  £xi}osition,  205, 
21s 


Commerce,  41,  53,  54,  65,  195,  196; 
European  Chambers  of,  i,  2;  French 
Minister  of,  1;  Paris  Council  Gen- 
eral of,  I 

Commerce  and  Administration,  Col- 
lege of,  177 

Commerce  and  Civics,  Museum  of, 
177 

Commerce  and  manufactures,  ad- 
dresses on,  141,  142 

Commercial  arbitration,  120  et  seq. 

Commercial  Education,  177;  Com- 
mittee of,  appointed,  178,  268 

Commission,  rates  of,  21,  43 

Committee  of  Appeals,  123 

Committee  of  Arbitration,  constituted, 
123;  first  refusal  to  abide  by  de- 
cision of,  123;  act  of  Legislature 
concerning  decisions  of,  124;  re- 
established in  1910,  124,  125;  vari- 
ety of  disputes  settled  by,  125;  ef- 
fectiveness of,  126;  wide  influence 
of,  126,  127 

Committee  of  Seventy,  93 

Committees  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, 256, 266-270;  duties  of,  257- 

259 

Commodities,  regulation  of,  31,  43 

Common  Pleas,  Court  of,  57 

Congress,  banquet  in  1785  to,  180, 181 

Conservation  of  State  Waters,  Lands, 
and  Forests,  Committee  on,  269 

Constabulary,  a  State,  Chamber's  ad- 
vocacy of,  224,  225 

Constitution,  the,  171 

Continental  Congress,  first,  150;  ban- 
quet to  Massachusetts  delegates  to, 
25,  26,  147 

Cooper,  Mayor  Edward,  185 

Cooper,  Peter,  128-130 

Cornwallis,  Lord,  191 

Correspondence,  Committee  of,  ap- 
pointed, 147 

Coudert,  Frederic  R.,  191;  his  ad- 
dress at  Statue  of  Liberty  banquet, 
189,  190 

Coimcil  General  of  Commerce,  Paris,  i 

Court  of  Arbitration  created,  124 

Cowper,  William,  196 

Cox,  S.  S.,  on  the  Smith  family,  198 

Cruces,  55 

Cruger,  John,  first  president  of  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce,  3,  10-12;  author 
of  "Declaration  of  Rights  and 
Grievances,"  10;  speaker  of  the 
Assembly,  11;  remained  out  of  New 


INDEX 


303 


York  during  British  occupancy,  28; 
portrait  of,  91 
Cuba,  relief  fund  for  poor  in,  171 
Currency,  gold  and  silver,  efiForts  to 
improve  character  of,  23 ;  fixed  rates 
for,  23,  43;  paper,  in  the  colonies, 
17, 18;  memorial  against  paper,  42, 

43 

Curtis,  George  William,  196,  201;  ora- 
tion of,  at  Washington  statue  dedi- 
cation, 133-135;  speech  of,  at 
Statue  of  Liberty  banquet,  191;  his 
tribute  to  Washington  Irving,  202, 
203 

Cushing,  William,  147 

Custom-house,  58,  59 

Darien,  Isthmus  of,  55 
"Declaration  of  Rights  and  Griev- 
ances of  the  Colonists  in  America," 

10 
Delafield,  Colonel  Richard,  85 
De  Lancey,  Etienne,  36,  144,  145 
Delegations,  powers  of,  261 
Delmonico's,  banquets  at,  135,  186, 

i8g,  201 
Democracy,  John  Morley  on,  210 
Depew,  Chauncey  M.,  address  of,  on 

presentation  of  picture  of  projectors 

of  Atlantic  cable,  130 
De  Saune,  Commander,  190 
Desbrosses,  Elias,  3 
Dewey,  Commodore,  100 
Diplomacy,  Secretary  Hay  on,  207, 208 
Diplomatic   and   consular  efficiency, 

223 
Disloyal  utterances,  report  on,  168 
Disputes,  Committee  on,  30,  53,  58, 

60,  62,  120 
Dix,  John  A.,  185,  213 
Dock  Street,  145 
Dodge,  William  E.,  91,  162 
Doorkeeper,  8,  232 
Dorchester,  Lord,  46 
Duane,  James,  37, 150;  John  Adams's 

estimate  of,  25 
Dues,  amount  of,  3,  61-63, 65, 66,  251, 

252;  unpaid,  in  1788,  44;  collected 

in  1856,  68 
Dunmore,  Lord.  180 
Durand,  Sir  Mortimer,  213 
Dutch  Chxirch,  the  old,  154 

Eagle  Fire  Insurance  Company,  52, 

60,  62 
Edinburgh  Chamber  of  Commerce,  2 


Edison,  Thomas  A.,  213,  214 
Edson,  Franklin,  133 
Education,  Board  of,  174,  175,  178 
Edward  VII,  King,  139 
Elections,  John  Morley  on,  210;  mu- 
nicipal, state,  and  national,  93 
Elevated  railway  system,  105 
Eliot,  Charles  W.,  at  banquet,  2ox; 

his  address,  202 
Ely,  Mayor,  185 
Engines,  steam,  68 
England,  A.  B.  Hepburn's  tribute  to, 

142;  Bank  of,  141 
Englishmen  in  New  York,  5 
Erie  Canal,  42,  65,  162 
Erie  railroad,  building  of,  59,  60 
Estimate  and  Appxjrtionment,  Board 

of,  177 
European,  Chambers  of  Commerce, 

126;   mercantile  associations,  i,  2; 

War,  164-168,  213,  226 
Evarts,  William  M.,  185;  his  address 

at  first  of  modern  banquets,  184; 

address  at  Yorktown  anniversary 

banquet,  187;  address  at  Statue  of 

Liberty  banquet,  190 
Everett,  Mr.,  129 
Executive  Committee,  266 
Ex-Presidents,  Cleveland  on,  199 

Fagnani,  J.,  portraits  by,  158 

Fairchild,  Secretary  Charles  S.,  162, 
194 

Fancher,  Judge  Enoch  L.,  124 

Farley,  Archbishop,  138    ' 

Farragut,  Admiral,  resolutions  extol- 
ling, 79;  letter  of  acknowledgment 
from,  79,  80 

Federal  Reserve  Bank,  report  and 
resolution  on,  223,  224 

Federal  Shipping  Board,  167 

Fees,  amount  of,  3,  7,  230,  251,  252 

Field,  Cyrus  W.,  128;  dinner  to,  129; 
painting  as  memorial  to,  129-131 

Field,  David  Dudley,  130 

Field,  Justice  Stephen  J.,  130 

Finance  and  Currency,  Committee  on, 
266 

Financial  crisis  of  1890,  201 

Fines,  for  tardy  and  absent  members, 
6,  7,  30,  232;  for  non-attendance 
discontinued,  44;  amoimt  of,  col- 
lected from  1822  to  1836,  60 

Fire  Department,  68 

Fire  insurance,  first  company  organ- 
ized in  New  York,  24 


304 


INDEX 


Fire  of  1835,  the,  153 

Fire  Underwriters,  Board  of,  225,  226 

Fisheries  question,  the,  194,  197,  198 

Fishery,  appropriation  to  encourage, 
23,  24;  effect  of  privateers  on,  2,Z 

Floods,  Western,  relief  of  sufferers  in, 
171 

Florida,  the,  81 

Flour,  regulation  of  price  and  quality 
of,  18-20,  31;  inspection  system, 
20;  efforts  to  improve,  53 

Folger,  Charles  J.,  133 

Food-Supply  and  Prices,  Committee 
on,  270 

Foreign  Commerce  and  the  Revenue 
Laws,  Committee  on,  267 

Forest  conservation,  223;  Committee 
on,  269 

Fort  Pickens,  73 

Fort  Sumter,  71,  73 

Foster,  Secretary  Charles,  205 

Fourth  of  July  banquets,  i8i 

France,  Chamber  of  Commerce  in,  i; 
Minister  of  Commerce  in,  i ;  duties 
levied  by,  53;  mercantile  associa- 
tions in,  I ;  relations  between  United 
States  and,  in  1798,  50;  fund  for 
flood  sufferers  in,  169;  relief  of 
Franco-German  War  sufferers  in, 
170;  Treaty  of  Alliance  with,  186, 
187;  del^ates  from,  bringing  Rodin 
bas-relief,  215;  Statue  of  Liberty 
delegation  from,  189-193;  visitors 
from,  at  Yorktown  anniversary  ban- 
quet, 186 

Francis,  Samuel,  tavern  of,  145-149; 
in  Washington's  service,  146 

Franco-German  War,  170 

Franklin,  Benjamin,  208,  212;  stove 
invented  by,  8 

Franklin  House,  the,  146 

Fravmces,  Samuel,  35 

Fraimces'sTavem,firsthomeof  Cham- 
ber, 4;  banquet  in,  35;  history  of, 
144-149;  sessions  of  Third  Provin- 
cial Congress  held  in,  147;  Washing- 
ton's headquarters,  147,  149;  mem- 
orable events  in,  146,  147;  dimen- 
sions of  Long  Room,  148;  damaged 
by  fire,  148;  restoration  of,  148; 
atmosphere  of,  149 

Free  silver,  opposition  to,  115-117, 
119 

Free  trade,  54,  63 

Fremont,  General,  214 

Freneau,  Philip,  146 


Front  Street,  store  in,  where  records 
were  found,  14 

Gage,  General,  179 

Galveston  flood,  fund  for  sufferers 
from,  171 

Galvin,  John  F.,  226 

Garfield,  President,  assassination  of, 
96 ;  fund  raised  for  family  of ,  96, 1 7 1 

Gaynor,  Mayor,  213;  report  on  rapid- 
transit  problems  requested  by,  223 

Gerard,  Ambassador  James  W.,  re- 
ception to,  216 

Germany,  Chambers  of  Commerce  in, 
2;  war  with,  164-168,  213,  226 

Glasgow  Chamber  of  Commerce,  2 

Gold,  43;  standard,  115 

Grant,  General,  87;  address  of,  at 
banquet,  187,  188;  portrait  of,  158 

Granville,  Lord,  47,  48 

Grasse,  Count  de,  descendants  of,  186 

Great  Britain,  Boards  of  Trade  in,  2; 
taxation  of  colonies  by,  10, 11;  com- 
mercial treaty  with,  42,  45-48;  re- 
strictions upon  commerce  by,  41; 
controversy  with,  51;  and  the  Ala- 
bama piracy,  81-85;  John  Morley 
on  relations  between  United  States 
and,  211 

Greater  New  York  charter,  108 

Greer,  Bishop,  at  banquets,  210,  213; 
his  a.necdote  of  Bishop  Clarke,  211 

Gregory,  Attorney-General,  214 

Griggs,  Governor  John  W.,  at  ban- 
quet, 205;  his  tribute  to  the  Cham- 
ber, 206 

Griscom,  Clement  A.,  141 

Grocers'  Guild,  banquet  in  hall  of,  140 

Guerriire,  the,  172 

Gulf  of  Mexico,  54,  55 

Halifax  explosion,  fund  for  sufferers 
from,  171 

Hall,  Mayor  Oakey,  93 

Hamilton,  Alexander,  Bank  of  New 
York  organized  by,  44;  defense  of 
Jay  Treaty  by,  47;  and  Captain 
Randall's  will,  174;  invited  to 
Fourth  of  July  banquet,  181;  por- 
trait of,  15,  16,  114,  158;  statue  of, 
58;  statue  of,  lost  in  fire,  153;  un- 
veiling of  statue,  161,  162 

Hancock,  General  Winfield  S.,  at  ban- 
quets, 184,  185;  portrait  of,  158 

Hancock,  John,  42 

Hanotaux,  Gabriel,  215 


INDEX 


30s 


Harbor,  fortification  of,  49;  report  of 
Committee  on  Defenses,  85;  De- 
velopment Commissions,  167;  im- 
provements, 65,  223 

Harbor  and  Shipping,  Committee  on, 
267 

Harrison,  Benjamin,  197 

Harrison,  Robert,  148 

Harvard  graduates.  Dr.  Eliot  on,  202 

Havemeyer,  Mayor,  185 

Hay,  Secretary  John,  102,  103;  on 
diplomacy,  207,  208;  tribute  to 
McKinley,  207 

Hay-Pauncefote  Treaty,  the,  101-103 

Hayes,  President,  185 

Heckmaim,  Paul,  161 

Hell  Gate  Channel,  64 

Hepburn,  A.  Barton,  at  London  ban- 
quet, 141;  his  tribute  to  England, 
142 

Herbert,  Sir  Michael  Henry,  158,  161 

Herschell,  Lord,  address  of,  206,  207 

Hewitt,  Mayor  Abram  S.,  196;  ser- 
vices of,  in  construction  of  subway, 
105-ni;  on  war  with  Spain,  100; 
medal  presented  to,  no,  in; 
statue  of.  III 

Higgins,  A.  Foster,  141 

Hill,  James  J.,  portrait  of,  158 

Homberg,  Octave,  216 

Howard,  General  O.  O.,  199 

Hudson,  Captain,  128,  129 

Hudson-Fulton  celebration,  215 

Hughes,  Ball,  statue  by,  153 

Hugot,  M.  v.,  161 

Hunt,  Wilson  G.,  130 

Huntington,  Daniel,  painting  by,  129 

Hyde,  John,  152 

Hydrographic  Department  in  Na- 
tional Observatory,  64 

Importations,  taxation  of,  40 
Income-tax  collection  methods,  223 
Independent  New  York  Gazette,  34 
Industrial  Problems  and  Relations, 

Committee  on,  270 
Inman,  John  H.,  107 
Insiu^nce,  Committee  on,  267;    fire, 

first  suggestion  of,  in  New  York,  24; 

War  Risk,  165 
Internal  Trade  and  Improvements, 

Committee  on,  267 
Interstate  Conmierce  Commission,  224 
Iron,  duty  on  railroad,  64 
Irving,  Washington,  genius  of,  202, 

203 


Irving  Hall,  91 

Istre,  Frendi  national  ship,  189,  190 

James,  Thomas  L.,  186 

Japan,  treaty  with,  69 

Japanese,  Commissioners  to  Alaska- 
Yukon  Exposition,  Finance  Com- 
mission, and  Imperial  War  Missions, 
receptions  to,  215 

Jay,  Fred.,  37 

Jay,  John,  147,  150;  envoy  to  Great 
Britain,  45,  46;  governor  of  New 
York,  48;  statue  of,  58,  161,  162 

Jay  Treaty,  the,  45-48;  provisions  of, 

47 

Jersey,  paper  currency  of,  17,  18 

Jesup,  Morris  K.,  President  of  Cham- 
ber, 107;  formal  presentation  by, 
of  Atlantic  cable  picture,  129;  guest 
of  London  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
139-143;  his  speech  at  banquet,  141; 
his  speech  at  Lord  Mayor's  recep>- 
tion,  143;  Mr.  Choate's  compliment 
to,  143;  at  dedication  of  building, 
158;  Clinton  statue  presented  by, 
162;  vases  and  Washington  portrait 
bequeathed  to  Chamber  by,  162, 
163;  tablet  commemorating  ser- 
vices of,  163 

Jesup,  Mrs.  Morris  K.,  vases  and  por- 
trait presented  by,  162 

Johnstown  flood,  relief  of  sufferers 
from,  171 

Jones,  Major-General  Daniel,  29 

Journal  of  Commerce,  63 

Judiciary  system,  57 

Jusserand,  J.  J.,  213,  215 

Kearsarge,  the,  83,  84 

Kennedy,  John  S.,  162 

Kent,  Chancellor,  174 

Kent,  Sir  Stephenson,  luncheon  to,  219 

King,  Charles,  67 

King,  James  Gore,  141 

Knox,  John  Jay,  133 

Lacombe,  Admiral,  189,  190 
Lafayette,  descendants  of,  186;  G.  W. 

Curtis's  address  on,  191 
La  Flore,  French  flag-ship,  189 
Lamar,  Secretary  L.  Q.  C,  address  of, 

at  annual  dinner,  194,  195 
Lancashire,  relief  sent  to,  169 
Lancey,  Etienne  de,  36,  144,  145 
Lane,  George  W.,  133 
Lane,  Secretary,  214 


3o6 


INDEX 


Lang,  Lord  Archbishop  Cosmo  Gor- 
don, reception  to,  219;  address  of, 
220,  221 

Langdon,  Woodbury,  107 

Lansdowne,  Lord,  102,  140 

Lazear,  Dr.,  49 

Lee,  surrender  of,  86 

Legal  tender,  resolution  concerning, 
76 

Lesseps,  Count  Ferdinand  de,  191 

Lexington,  battle  of,  28 

Lighthouses,  60 

Lincoln,  President,  71,  72;  assassina- 
tion of,  87;  memorial  to,  88;  funeral 
ceremonies  of,  89;  portrait  of,  158; 
anecdote  of,  214 

Livingston,  Philip,  John  Adams's  esti- 
mate of,  25 

Loan  of  1861,  subscriptions  to,  73 

Loans,  government,  resolution  con- 
cerning, 74 

Lodge,  Senator,  213 

London,  bankers,  201,  202;  commer- 
cial education  in,  177;  Lord  Mayor's 
reception,  142, 143;  seal  found  in,  14; 
Washington  portrait  found  in,  162 

London,  the,  146 

London  Chamber  of  Conmierce,  2, 
161;  banquet  given  by,  139-142; 
luncheon  given  by,  143 

Low,  Abiel  A.,  91,  128,  187;  protest 
of,  against  Alabama  acts,  82;  sug- 
gestion of,  for  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce building,  156 

Low,  Isaac,  150;  loyal  to  British,  28, 
29»  34;  John  Adams's  estimate  of, 
26;  protest  against  privateering, 
32;  motion  of,  for  compulsory  ar- 
bitration, 121 

Low,  Seth,  107,  133,  137,  138;  Presi- 
dent of  the  Chamber,  151;  services 
of  Chamber  acknowledged  by,  159; 
address  of,  at  banquet,  213;  anec- 
dote of  Lincoln  told  by,  214 

Lower  Wall  Street  Business  Men's 
Association,  151 

Luzerne,  Chevalier  de  la,  36 

Maine,  eastern  boundary  of,  47 

Mansion  House,  London,  reception  at, 
142 

Manufacturers'  Association  of  Brook- 
lyn, 225,  226 

Marine  Society,  174-176 

Maritime  Association  of  New  York, 
17s,  176 


Mass-meetings  in  Union  Square,  76,  77 

Massachusetts  delegates  to  Conti- 
nental Congress,  25,  147 

Maury,  Lieutenant,  130 

McClellan,  Mayor,  210,  225,  226 

McCulloch,  Hugh,  185 

McDougall,  Alexander,  150 

McKinley,  President,  Chamber's  sup- 
port of,  99,  loi;  letter  of  appreci- 
ation from,  99;  Secretary  Hay's  trib- 
ute to,  207;  tariff  bill  of,  201 

Meat,  regulation  of  price  of,  30 

Meath,  Earl  of,  199 

Medals  distributed  by  the  Chamber, 
73,. 74,  III,  "2,  129 

Meetings  of  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
account  of,  9;  day  of,  66,  67;  daily, 
61;  bimonthly,  52;  quarterly,  3; 
hour  of,  43,  44,  52,  58;  time  and 
place  of,  230,  250;  reported  in  news- 
papers, 63 

Members  of  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
election  of,  230,  250,  251;  honorar}^, 
251;  roll  of,  271-292 

Membership  of  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, 6,  8;  persons  eligible  to,  7, 
58,  62;  in  1849,  64;  in  1853,  65;  in 
1856,  68;  in  1858,  70 

Memphis,  fund  for  sufferers  in,  171 

Mercantile  Associations,  European,  i,  2 

Mercantile  Library  Association,  estab- 
lishment of,  54 

Merchant  Marine,  American,  Com- 
mitteeon,  270;  reportof,  222;  train- 
ing of  ofl&cers  in,  1 75 

Merchants,  New  York,  agreement  of, 
concerning  trade  with  Great  Britain, 
10 

Merchants'  Association,  176 

Merchants'  Bank,  the,  60,  153;  cost 
of  new  structure,  153 

Merchants'  Coffee  House,  banquets  in, 
147,  150,  151,  180;  Governor  Col- 
den's  portrait  in,  15;  a  famous  his- 
toric building,  150;  rent  of  room  in, 
29;  destroyed  by  fire,  151;  tablet 
commemorative  of,  151 

Merchants*  Exchange,  57,  62;  proj- 
ect for  building,  53;  first  meeting 
in,  55;  Governor  Cold  en's  portrait 
in,  15;  destroyed  by  fire,  14, 16,  60, 
153;  description  of,  152,  153;  cost 

of,  153 
Mersereau,  William  H.,  148 
Messina,  Italy,  fund  for  earthquake 

sufferers  in,  171 


INDEX 


307 


Military  training,  universal,  165 

Miller,  Attorney-General,  W.  H,  H., 
205 

Miller,  Jacob  W.,  176 

Miller,  Justice,  199 

Mitchel,  Mayor,  214 

Morgan,  J.  Pierpont,  portrait  of, 
158 

Morley,  John,  address  of,  210,  211 

Morse,  Professor,  130 

Morton,  Levi  P.,  186 

Municipal  credit  in  subway  construc- 
tion, 106 

Museum  of  Commerce  and  Civics,  177 

Mutual  Life  Building,  the,  154 

National  Guard  and  Naval  Militia, 
223,  224;   Committee  on,  269 

Nautical  School,  organization  of,  174; 
Coimcil  of  the,  175;  prizes  for,  175; 
under  State  control,  175;  Board  of 
Governors  of,  175 

New  Jersey,  Harbor  Development 
Commission,  167;  paper  currency, 
17,18 

New  York,  in  colonial  times,  3,  5,  22 
et  seq.,  144;  John  Adams's  views  of, 
25,  26;  during  British  occupation, 
28-33;  British  evacuation  of,  33, 
34;  fortification  of  harbor  of,  49; 
Harbor  Development  Commission 
of,  167;  War  Board  for  Port  of,  167, 
168 

New  York  Central  Railroad  Company, 
los 

New  York  City  Central  Underground 
Company,  105 

New  York  City  Rapid  Transit  Com- 
pany, los 

New  York  State  Bar  Association,  1 26 

Newman,  Captain  Charles,  32 

Newspapers,  acts  of  Chamber  adver- 
tised in,  22,  23;  disputant's  names 
in,  53, 122;  files  of,  kept,  61;  meet- 
ings reported  in,  63;  early  banquets 
not  reported  in,  179,  180,  182;  no- 
tice of  dinner  to  Congress  in,  180; 
Fourth  of  July  banquet  advertised 
in,  181 

Niagara,  the,  128 

Niagara  Falls,  ship  canal  aroimd,  pro- 
posed, 59 

Noble,  Secretary,  199 

Northcliffe,  Lord,  213 

Northwest,  fund  for  fire  sufferers  in, 
170 


Observatory,  National,  at  Washing- 
ton, 64 

O'Conor,  Charles,  185 

Odell,  Benjamin  B.,  Jr.,  162 

Officers  of  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
first,  3;  duties  of,  231,  252-254; 
election  of,  230,  249;  election  of 
special,  259;  list  of,  262-266 

Ogden,  James  De  Peyster,  91 

Olney,  Richard,  210 

Opdyke,  George,  91 

Opdyke,  Mayor,  184 

Order,  rules  of,  260 

Oreto,  the,  82 

Orr,  Alexander  E.,  107,  109,  no,  131, 
157;  on  municipal  credit,  106; 
speech  of  thanks  for  medals,  112; 
letter  of,  to  Cleveland,  118;  tablet 
commemorating  services  of,  163 

Outerbridge,  E.  H.,  address  of,  to 
British  War  Commission,  216,  217; 
address  at  reception  to  Archbishop 
Lang,  219,  220 

Panama,  Canal  tolls,  101-103;  city 
of,  55;  Isthmus  of,  49,  55,  56 

Panic,  of  1837,  141;  of  1893,  ^^^ 

Paper  ciurency,  17,  18;  memorial 
against,  42,  43 

Paris,  Chamber  of  Commerce,  161; 
Council  General  of  Commerce,  1; 
Treaty  of  Peace  of,  212 

Parker,  Alton  B.,  162 

Parsons,  William  Barclay,  107 

Pauncefote,  Lord,  102,  103 

Peace,  arbitration,  international,  126, 
223;  Commission,  British,  194 

Pearl  Street,  145 

Pennsylvania,  paper  currency  of,  17 

Pension  bill,  201 

Perit,  Pelatiah,  address  of,  71,  72; 
Seward's  letter  to,  73;  John  Bright's 
letter  to,  79 

Phelps,  Hon.  E.  J.,  address  of,  199, 
200 

Phelps,  Royal,  133 

Philadelphia,  19,  20,  22,  147,  150; 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  55;  con- 
vention of  1820  in,  53 

Philippine  independence,  resolution 
on,  224 

Physical  training,  universal,  165 

Pierrepont,  Edwards,  185 

Pilots,  60,  65;  Board  of  Commission- 
ers of,  173,  269 

Pintard,  John,  24 


3o8 


INDEX 


Pirrie,  William  J.,  speech  of,  at  Lon- 
don banquet,  141 

Pitt,  William,  and  the  Jay  Treaty,  46- 
48 

"Pledge  of  International  Friendship, 
A,"  143 

Police,  a  State,  224,  225 

Police-court  system,  abolition  of  the, 

94  .  .      .         , 

Police  Department,  mvestigation  of, 

93 

Port  of  New  York,  War  Board  for, 
167,  168;  pilots  for,  173 

Porter,  General  Horace,  185;  speech 
of,  190,  191,  212;  reception  to,  216 

Portland,  Maine,  fund  for  fire  suffer- 
ers in,  170 

Portraits,  collection  of,  157, 158,  293- 

Postal  facilities,  improved,  223 
Post-office,  building,  erection  of,  59; 

in  Merchants'  Exchange,  153 
Potter,  Bishop  H.  C,  138,  185,  201 
Pratt,  Matthew,  portrait  by,  15,  158 
Preble,  Captain  Edward,  dinner  to, 

182 
Preparedness,  national,  165 
Presidential  campaign  of  1896,  117, 

118;  of  1900,  iig 
Privateering,  American  and  British, 

3i~33>  captiues  in,  150;  memorial 

against,  67 
Profits,  restriction  of  war,  167 
Proposals,  regulations  regarding,  6,  7 
Province  Arms,  the,  36 
Provincial  Congress,  Third,  sessions 

Public  Service  Commission,  108,  125 
Publications  by  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, 296 

Quarantine,  60;  a  national,  95 
Queen  Charlotte's  Tavern,  145 
Queen  Street,  145 

Queen's  Head  Tavern,  the,  145,  146 
Quorum  and  adjournment,  64,  231, 
259 

Railroad  labor  arbitration,  223 
Railway  War  Council,  168 
Randall,  Captain  Richard,  173, 174 
"Rapid  Transit,  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce of  the  State  of  New  York," 
112 
Rapid  Transit  Commission,  appoint- 
ment of,  105,  106;    personnel  of, 


107;  subway  constructed  by,  107, 
108;  medals  presented  to,  in,  112; 
additional  routes  proposed  by,  108 

Rapid  transit  problems,  report  of 
committee  on,  222,  223 

Rapid  Transit  Subway  Construction 
Company,  108 

Ray,  Cornelius,  52 

Reading,  Earl  of,  216 

Receptions,  formal,  given  by  the 
Chamber,  215-219 

Records,  finding  of,  early,  14 

Red  Cross,  contribution  to,  213 

Redfield,  Secretary,  213 

Refreshments,  provision  for,  at  sixth 
meeting  of  Chamber,  6 

Reid,  Whitelaw,  205 

Report  of  the  Chamber,  Aimual,  68-70 

Reporters,  newspaper,  63 

Revenue,  memorial  on  collecting,  53 

Revolution,  the,  13,  15,  25,  28-33,  4i 

Rice,  George  S.,  107 

Richmond,  Va.,  fund  for  sufferers  in, 
170 

Rives,  George  L.,  107 

Roberts,  Marshall  O.,  130 

Robertson,  General,  33 

Rochambeau,  descendants  of,  186, 
187 

Rodin,  bas-relief  by,  215 

RoUit,  Sir  Albert  K.,  158,  i6r 

Room,  first  meeting,  3,  4 

Roosevelt,  Colonel  Theodore,  com- 
ment of,  on  bill  for  dinner  to  Wash- 
ington, 36-38;  at  dedication  of 
Chamber's  building,  158;  welcome 
to  foreign  guests,  159;  address  of, 
at  dedication  banquet,  160,  161; 
his  tribute  to  the  Chamber,  161; 
letter  from,  208,  209 

Roosevelt,  Isaac,  28,  34-37,  44 

Root,  Senator  EUhu,  138,  158,  213, 
214;  on  Panama  Canal  tolls,  loi; 
bill  of,  repealing  toll-exemption 
clause,  102-104;  reception  to,  216 

Rosen,  Baron,  213 

Royal  Exchange  Building,  8,  10,  15; 
erection  of,  149;  the  Great  Room  in, 
150;  Governor  Colden's  portrait  in, 

IS 

Ruggles,  Samuel  B.,  95,  115 

"Rules  for  the  Prevention  of  Unneces- 
sary Litigation,"  126 

Russia,  reception  to  commissioners  to, 
216;  fund  for  famine  sufferers  in, 
171 


INDEX 


309 


Safety-First  Problems,  Committee  on, 
270 

Sailors,  fund  for  relief  of  destitute,  176 

Sailors'  hotels  and  boarding-houses. 
Board  of  Commissioners  for  licens- 
ing of,  176,  269 

Sailors'  Snug  Harbor,  173,  174 

Saint  Gaudens,  Augustus,  Sherman 
statue  by,  136,  137 

St.  Mary's,  school-ship,  175 

St.  Peter's  Union  for  Catholic  Seamen, 
176 

St.  Pierre,  Martinique,  fund  for  siif- 
ferers  in,  171 

Salisbury,  Lord,  218 

San  Domingo,  relief  of  fugitives  from, 
169 

San  Francisco  earthquake,  fund  for 
sufferers  from,  171 

Sandeman,  Albert  G.,  141,  143 

Sandy  Hook,  32 

Saune,  Commander  de,  190 

Savannah,  fund  for  yellow-fever  suf- 
ferers in,  170 

Schofield,  General,  201 

School-ships,  17s 

Schurz,  Carl,  99,  185,  187,  199,  201 

Scofield,  General,  214 

Scott,  General,  portrait  of,  158 

Sculpture  owned  by  Chamber,  295 

Seal  of  Chamber  of  Commerce,  the 
original,  14;  finding  of,  14 

Seamen,  protection  of  American,  49 

Seamen's  Christian  Association,  176 

Seamen's  Church  Institute,  176 

Sears,  Isaac,  40 

Secretary,  a  corresponding,  appointed, 
67 

Semmes,  Captain,  81 

Sevres  National  Manufactory,  192 

Seward,  William  H.,  letters  of  ac- 
knowledgment from,  73,  90 

Shaw,  Charles  A.,  226 

Sheridan,  General,  87;  portrait  of,  158 

Sherman,  General  W.  T.,  87,  170;  at 
banquets,  185,  199,  201;  addresses 
of,  197,  203,  204;  pxjrtrait  of,  158; 
statue  of,  132,  136-138 

Sherman,  Secretary  John,  185;  por- 
trait of,  114,  158 

Sherman  Act,  the,  115,  201;  repeal  of, 
116 

Ship  purchase  bill,  222 

Shipments  during  War,  Committee  on 
Problems  of,  164,  165,  269 

Shipping,  American,  222;  effects  of  Jay 


Treaty  on,  46-48;  Federal  Board, 

222 

Shubrick,  Lieutenant  John  F.,  gift  to 
family  of,  171,  172 

Siam,  treaty  with,  69 

Silver,  bill,  Sherman,  201;  free  coin- 
age of,  H4-117, 119;  standard  rate 
.for,  43 

Simmons,  J.  Edwards,  226 

Slaves,  sold  in  Merchants*  Coffee 
House,  150 

Slemmer,  Lieutenant,  73 

Smith,  Charles  Stewart,  107;  Cham- 
ber's attitude  in  municipal  affairs 
stated  by,  94;  address  of,  201,  202 

Smith,  Goldwin,  address  of,  197,  198 

Smith,  Sidney,  203 

Smuggling,  resolution  concerning,  41 

Social  insurance,  223 

Society  for  Promoting  the  Gospel 
among  Seamen,  176 

Sons  of  Liberty,  the,  146 

Sons  of  the  Revolution,  Society  of  the, 
Fraunces's  Tavern  restored  by,  144, 
148 

South,  the,  relief  funds  sent  to,  170 

Southwest,  fund  for  yellow-fever  suf- 
ferers in,  171 

Spain,  war  with,  99-101 

Specie  payments,  resumption  of,  114, 

Spring-Rice,  Sir  Cecil,  216 

Stagg,  John  P.,  59 

Stamp  Act,  the,  10,  150 

Starin,  John  H.,  107 

State,  constabulary,  224,  225;  road 
improvement,  223 

State  and  Mimicipal  Taxation,  Com- 
mittee on,  268 

State  elections,  93 

Staten  Island,  173 

Statue  of  Liberty,  banquets  on  arrival 
and  on  dedication  of,  189-192 

Statues  owned  by  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, 295 

Steam-engines,  68 

Steam  Navigation,  National  Board  of, 

Steinway,  William,  107 

Steuben,  Baron  de,  descendants  of, 

186,  187 
Stevens,  John  Austin,  79,  187 
Stevens,  John  Austin,  Jr.,  historian  of 

the  Chamber,  91 ;  his  "  Colonial  New 

York"  quoted,  5,  9,  27 
Storing  of  food,  30 


3IO 


INDEX 


Storrs,  Rev.  Dr.  Richard  S.,  185, 187 

Stove,  the  Franklin,  8 

Strangers,  privileges  of,  261 

Strauss,  Charles,  226 

Street  cleaning,  94 

Strong,  Mayor  William  L.,  94 

Stuart,  Gilbert,  Washington  portrait 
by,  158,  162,  163 

Sturges,  Jonathan,  91 

Subway,  route  and  plans  determined 
upon,  107;  completed  in  1904,  108; 
charter  of  1868  for,  105;  municipal 
credit  in  construction  of,  106;  tablet 
in  City  Hall  station  of,  iii,  112 

Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States, 
entertainment  in  honor  of,  147 

Tablets,  commemorative,  in,  151, 163 

Tammany  rule,  abuses  under,  93 

Tariff,  bill  of  1820,  53;  the  Clay  bill, 
55,  62,  63;  McKinley  bill,  201; 
Commission,  223 

Taxation,  54;  of  the  colonies,  10,  11; 
of  importations,  40;  State  and  mu- 
nicipal, 223;   Committee  on,  268 

Taylor,  Moses,  130 

Tea,  accoimts  as  to  English  cargoes 
of,  146,  147 

Tea-drinking  in  early  New  York,  5 

Tennessee,  East,  relief  sent  to,  170 

Thurman,  Mr.,  motion  of,  concerning 
fire  insurance,  24 

Tilden,  Governor,  94,  185 

Times,  New  York,  93 

Ton,  a  standard,  21 

Tongue,  William,  license  of,  restored,  31 

Tonti,  Lorenzi,  151 

Tontine  Association,  the,  151 

Tontine  Building,  the,  152;  Governor 
Colden's  portrait  in,  15 

Tontine  Coffee  House,  54, 57;  meeting- 
room  in,  53;  erection  of,  151;  Eng- 
lish traveller's  description  of,  152; 
banquet  in,  182 

Trade,  commission  rates  in,  43;  ef- 
forts to  advance,  22,  23,  92;  fair 
dealing  in,  18,  20-22 

Treasurer,  chest  kept  by,  6,  231;  first 
audit  of  accounts  of,  7 

Troy,  N.  Y.,  relief  fund  for,  169 

Trumbull,  John,  portraits  by,  15,  158 

Trustees  of  the  Real  Estate,  Board  of, 
254-256;  members  of,  268 

Tweed  Ring  frauds,  the,  93 

Underwood,  Mr.,  129 


Underwriters,  Board  of,  176 
Underwriters'  Building,  67,  154 
Union  Defense  Committee,  73 
United  States  Bank,  52 
Universal  physical  and  military  train- 
ing, 165 

Valentine's  Manual,  148 

Van  Dam,  Anthony,  3 

Vase,    Sevres,   presented  by  French 

delegates,  192 
Vases,  presented  to  De  Witt  Clinton, 

162,  163 
Venezuela  question,  the,  140 
Venta  Cruz,  55 

Veragua,  Duke  of,  reception  to,  215 
Victoria,  Queen,  139 
Vigilance  Committee,  the,  146 
Volunteers,  funds  in  aid  of,  73 
Von  Pless,  Prince  Hans  Heinrich,  158, 

161 

Wakayama,  M.,  184 

Wakeman,  Abram,  151 

Waldorf-Astoria,  banquet  at,  160;  re- 
ception at,  215 

Wall  Street,  portraits  found  in  garret 
in,  16;  Lower,  151 

Wallace.  Hugh,  3 

Waller,  Thomas  W.,  136 

Walton,  Jacob,  14 

Walton,  William,  13 

Walton  House,  the,  13,  14;  Bank  of 
New  York  in,  44 

War,  European,  164-168,  213,  226 

War  Board  for  Port  of  New  York, 
formed,  167;  membership  of,  168 

War  Council  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church,  219 

War  of  181 2,  51 

War  profits,  restriction  of,  167 

War  Risk  Insurance,  Bureau  of,  165 

War-ships,  banquet  to  officers  of,  205 

Ward,  J.  Q.  A.,  133,  136 

Warehouses,  65;  joint  commission  for 
regulation  of,  176 

Waring,  Colonel  George  E.,  94;  fimd 
for  family  of,  171 

Washington,  President,  banquets  to, 
35-37,  147,  151,  180;  reception  to, 
by  New  York  officials,  151;  posses- 
sion of  New  York  taken  by,  34; 
reasons  of,  for  sending  Jay  to  Eng- 
land, 45-47;  attitude  of,  toward 
preparedness,  46;  neutral  policy 
adopted  by,  50;  his  liking  for 
Samuel  Francis,  146;    farewell  of, 


INDEX 


3" 


< 


to  his  officers,  147;  his  recognition 
of  debt  to  France,  186;  and  Lafay- 
ette, 191;  death  of,  51;  statue  of, 
132-135;  Stuart  portrait  of,  158, 
162,  163 

Water  Supply  System,  Catskill,  225,226 

Waterfront  improvements,  223 

Waters  and  Lands,  Conservation  of, 
223;  Committee  on,  269 

Webster,  Daniel,  55 

Welles,  Gideon,  83 

Wells,  David  A.,  185 

West  Indies,  46,  48,  54 

Wetmore,  Prosper  W.,  early  records 
foimd  by,  14;  portraits  found  by,  16 

Wheat,  18-20,  53 

White,  Andrew  D.,  185 

Whitman,  Governor,  225 

Wilson,  George,  158 

Wilson,  Henry,  185 

Wilson,  James,  148 

Wilson,  Postmaster-General  William 
L.,  205 


Wilson,  President,  and  reF>eal  of  toll- 
exemption  clause,  103,  104;  reso- 
lutions endorsing  action  of,  toward 
Germany,  165,  i66;  pledge  of  sup- 
port to,  166 

Windom,  Secretary  William,  186 

Windsor  Castle,  139 

Winn,  Captain  Isaac  L.,  14 

Winslow,  Captain  John  A.,  rewarded 
for  destruction  of  the  Alabama,  83- 

Wood,  General  Leonard,  at  prepared- 
ness meeting,  165;  at  banquet,  214; 
on  a  State  police.  225 

Wood,  William  P.,  161 

Woodhouse,  Mr.,  129 

Workmen's  Compensation  Legisla- 
tion, 223;   Committee  on,  269 

Yellow  fever,  in  New  York,  48,  49; 

fimd  for  suJfferers  in  South,  170,  171 
Yorktown,  celebration  of  victory  at, 

186,  191 


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